The run is as improbable as it is incredible.
The Oakland Athletics, thanks to a 16-2 mark thus far in July, are atop the American League wild card standings at 53-44 — not too bad for a team that was nine games under .500 just six weeks ago.
Oakland won eight games by one run in July, making the streak appear somewhat fluky. (No baseball team can claim every close contest.)
It”s easy to question whether the A”s can keep it up long term, especially when looking at their hitting statistics.
Oakland”s offense ranked dead last in the AL in runs, hits, RBI and batting average coming into Wednesday”s 16-0 thrashing of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Other than outfielders Yoenis Cespedes (batting .302 with 13 home runs and 50 RBI) and Josh Reddick (.272, 21 homers and 47 RBI), no regular demonstrates any semblance of consistency.
While guys like Jonny Gomes, Brandon Moss and Seth Smith don”t have high batting averages or on-base percentages, they do hit for power (each of those three has double-digit home run totals) and produce in the clutch (like Smith”s game-tying ninth-inning homer Sunday against the New York Yankees).
Many of the starting hitters and role players found ways to deliver in important moments so far this summer, which speaks to the team”s ability to mesh.
The offense is comprised mainly of young players, offseason pickups and crafty regular-season acquisitions — only three of team”s regulars donned Oakland uniforms last year.
As a team, the A”s slugged about 100 points higher and batted about 40 points better in June and July than they did in April and May.
But streaky hitting during the summer only masks holes in the lineup that become all too visible once fall arrives.
The A”s definitely have gaps in the offense that could derail any chance of postseason berth.
Entering Wednesday, Oakland shortstops, catchers and third basemen hit no better than .193 with on-base percentages below .250. If general manager Billy Beane wants a playoff team, he might think about acquiring an offensive-minded infielder as security.
What Beane shouldn”t touch is the pitching staff.
The A”s five starters — none of whom pitched for the team last season — are reliable and effective.
Tommy Milone is 9-6 this season and lowered his ERA by more than a point in the past month. Rookie Jarrod Parker is 7-4 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. A.J. Griffin has a 2.25 ERA while throwing six innings in each of his six starts.
Oh yeah, and each of those guys is younger than 26.
Travis Blackley, a 29-year-old who bounced around at home and abroad, continues to take advantage of his opportunity. After a few shaky starts early, he”s thrown seven-plus innings in four of his last six outings.
Veteran Bartolo Colon is only 6-8 but has a decent 3.97 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.
It”ll be interesting to see what happens when Brandon McCarthy comes back from injury. No doubt one of those starters will move to the bullpen and supplement an already booming relief squad.
Lefties Jerry Blevins and Jordan Norberto have been effective, whether coming in for specific matchups or eating up crucial late-game innings.
Sean Doolittle continually amazes in his new role has a hard-throwing southpaw reliever who converted after injuries stopped his hopes of a career as a fielder.
Grant Balfour started to pitch better once he lost the closer job. His 2.93 ERA is down from 4.50 on May 19.
All-Star rookie Ryan Cook has a 1.70 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with 10 saves but also blew three save opportunities since taking over as closer.
All month, the A”s have matched outstanding pitching with clutch hitting, especially during the current seven-game winning streak.
And though the scorching July put them into the playoff conversation, they must continue winning through August and September in order to become postseason contenders.
The next month is key, not only to keep the momentum going but also to prove to the nation that Oakland”s brand of baseball is sustainable.
The A”s must win upcoming series against some good teams (the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox, to name a few) to build confidence going into a difficult closing stretch.
The first 18 games of July turned around the A”s year, but the final 65 regular-season games will define it.
