Three games into the Cactus League and the A’s have collected twenty-five hits, resulting in only four runs and zero wins. Their run differential currently sits at negative nineteen, better than the Detroit Tigers by a single run. The only team with more losses are the Milwaukee Brewers, and that’s only because they’ve played more games.
There’s no reason to panic just yet, but you can’t help but eye roll. Hovering around mediocrity is the minimum we’d wish for in Spring Training. Nobody wants to go into Opening Day after getting kicked around all spring. Especially a young and impressionable A’s team like this one, who have proven to be easily shaken when faced with adversity.
The battle of the winless clubs takes place today between the A’s and the Brewers. Shall this be the day the tides turn in our favor? I’m choosing to feel optimistic. Watching David S. Ward’s Major League last night helped curb the angsty doubts that start to roll in when the W’s aren’t stacking up. Let’s not forget that that those Cleveland Indians struggled out of the gate in their own Spring Training jaunt. Plus, nothing as embarrassing as Willie Mays Hays attempting to steal second base and coming up five feet short, has yet to happen – – so there’s that.
I guess I’m just hoping the A’s get a little more rowdy this spring. I want Hohokam to be all worked up in a frenzy by the end of March. Every bar in Mesa, Arizona should be full of reverse teetotalers holding court, talking about how the 2026 A’s are going to be a problem. That’s the energy I want. Maybe players should start picking fights with other teams? There hasn’t been a really good Spring Training brawl since that Piazza vs. Mota incident back in 2003. For this reboot, I nominate Michael Kelly to go after Zac Veen. That way the Las Vegas series against the Rockies in June has a little buzz behind it.
Just throwing it out there.
I see it to be particularly crucial that the A’s capitalize on any bit momentum for the next month, as the first six series out of the gate are all against the Blue Jays, Braves, Astros, Yankees, Mets, and Rangers :/
Now I’m not saying that this stretch will determine how the 2026 A’s will fair by season’s end, but if the last two season have taught us anything, it’s that no early first half game should go undervalued. The last thing anyone wants is another season where we’re looking back at April and May as the reason we didn’t get a shot at a playoff bid.
So let’s right the ship! It all starts today against the Milwaukee Brewers.
In Mason Barnett we trust.
A’s Coverage:
- 1st results for Ginn’s new windup? 3 K’s over 2 perfect frames
- Athletics Drop Third Straight Spring Contest, Fall To Giants 6-2
- A’s Make First Cut of Camp
- Circa Las Vegas bringing in A’s legend for baseball opening day festitivies
- Bob Melvin opens up: A Giants firing, an A’s hiring, and what comes next
- Athletics Community Prospect List: Morii Voted As 17th-Best
- Athletics Drop Second Spring Contest, Fall To Guardians 6-0
- A’s Drop Spring Opener To White Sox 11-2
- Meaningless Stats Begin Today!
- Athletics Community Prospect List: Hoglund Lands at #16
- See you later, soda: A’s Perkins ditches sugar for science
- Can The A’s Young Core Turn Defense Into a Strength?
- Pesky Drawback Of “Closer By Committee” (It Never Really Works)
- Can Kurtz get his glove to match his monster bat?
- Zack Gelof: Outfielder?
- “Relievers Are Volatile”… But Why?
- Are The Final Two Rotation Spots Really Up For Grabs?
- Story Lines To Watch As Spring Training Unfolds
MLB News and Interest:
- Tarik Skubal Explains Role on USA’s 2026 WBC Roster
- Angels Players ‘Took Notice’ of Arte Moreno’s Remarks About Winning, Fans, MLBPA Director Says
- Ex-MLB Player Dan Serafini Called a ‘Liar’ and ‘Manipulator’ by Judge as His Bid for New Murder Trial Is Denied
- Guardians reportedly sign first baseman Rhys Hoskins to minor league pact
- Twins’ starter Joe Ryan has lower back inflammation
- Red Sox interested in left-handed bullpen depth
- “He’s gonna be a stud, man”: Harper dishes on MLB’s #1 prospect
- Cardinals sign veteran infielder Ramon Urias to major league deal for 2026
- 2 HR’s in 2 games? Polar Bear knows just how to break the ice with Orioles
- Yankees’ Gerrit Cole reaches 96.9 MPH in 1st session versus hitters
- Freddie Freeman hopes to retire with Dodgers
- Honus Wagner card sells for $5.124 million, third-largest for T206 Wagner card
- Baseball legend Bill Mazeroski passes away at 89
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
Day #1 of the Jump Dynasty is in the books!
Couldn’t agree more. Would love to see him in a “Yusmeiro Petit with 97” type role.
Juuuuuust a little off :/
A DFA notification by June.
He always looked great in A’s colors…
I am never not thinking about his thumb injury in the 2014 AL Wild Card game.
Let’s just throw him in the there to kick off the season and see what happnes.
Is it just me, or does Jeff McNeil not feel like he’s actually on the A’s yet? I just don’t believe it.