MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Byrnes

The A’s have enjoyed a resurgence at the plate and it has resulted in a recent 5-game winning streak. The hitting barrage has lifted the Athletics to the best batting average in the American League at (.284).

The streak began Sunday with a split-squad against the LA Angels and the defending Champion Dodgers. After being behind in both games, late home runs by Tommy White and Henry Bolte secured a 7-4 win versus the Angels.

After Athletics pitching does what it does, and spots the Dodgers a 6-0 lead, the bats came alive. Youngster Leo DeVries, who stole 2 bases in the 9th the previous game, hit two home runs, and had six rbi’s to give serious evidence that he needs to be on the opening day roster.

So far he has shown speed, power, and is batting a smooth (.385).

Andy Ibanez went 4-for-5 and while I feel Max Muncy has secured third base, Ibanez should make the roster.

Monday saw newcomer 2b Jeff McNeil leadoff against the Cincinnati Reds and he didn’t disappoint. McNeil went 3-for-3 with a bomb, two runs , and two rbi’s. Manager Mark Kotsay has had last year’s AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz leading off a significant part of Spring Training and this isn’t a popular decision.

Kurtz batted .247 leading off last season, and hit over .100 higher everywhere else in the lineup. Why deny an RBI opportunity for Kurtz to drive in base runners, when an extra at bat isn’t guaranteed? Either way, during the streak Athletics leadoff hitters hit a strong .529 with two walks and two home runs.

The A’s stole three more bases this game and Kotsay seems to be warming up to the idea of moving runners along.

While enjoying a 5-game streak, it isn’t a result of A’s pitching. The starters are struggling and allowing traffic on the base paths at an alarming rate. Starter Jack Perkins (2-1) won the game but allowed five of the first six batters to reach base. He had five 2-0 counts, two 3-0 counts, and a four pitch walk forcing him to pitch from behind his entire start.

Rooker, Langeliers, and Soderstrom all homered, to again, come from behind to beat the White Sox Tuesday, 11-7. As usual our starter, Jeffrey Springs followed suit in this odd streak, giving up six earned runs. Three 2-0 counts and a 3-0 resulted in three walks to go with a single, two doubles, and a bomb to account for the massive damage.

Like last season, the bats protect bad arms with Rooker adding an rbi double to his home run, Tommy White going 2-for-2, and DeVries adding another double.

The A’s rounded out the streak pounding the Diamondbacks 13-3 Wednesday. Five Athletics home runs put this game out of reach and they scored in six innings, putting up crooked numbers in four of them.

Max Muncy may have secured the third base job the same day he had his third error of the Spring. He went 3-for-3 with four runs, a home run, and three RBI’s.

Andy Ibanez, who is also trying to win the third base job, went 2-for-3 with a home run and three rbi’s and probably will be a bench guy for the team come season opener.

Tyler Soderstrom had another double/home run/3-rbi day to round out the solid day at the plate.

Starter Luis Morales gave up a home run in the first, the first three batters reached in the second, and allowed three consecutive singles in the third to keep the bad pitching consistent. This looks much like 2025 where the Athletics were a top 5 offense and the worst pitching staff in baseball. This streak was fun but easily could have been 0-5 with the foot traffic of opponents.

While Spring Training stats are meaningless, they do show tendencies and habits. This team is going to be a Top 5 offense again in 2026, but may be allergic to good mound play.

(Tim Byrnes can be found @ “The Habit Hunter” A’s Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and most platforms in “TheHouse Always Wins” Athletics Podcast Network)
(@Sactown A’s Fans For Life on X)