Former Los Angeles Angel Tommy LaStella joins the Oakland A’s this Friday as the A’s host the San Diego Padres. LaStella in photo hits a ninth inning two run walk off home run against the San Francisco Giants Mon Aug 17th at Angels Stadium (AP News file  photo)

A’s Return Home after Six Days Off

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–On August 23, after beating the LA Angels 5-4 on a smoky Sunday afternoon in Oakland, the Athletics went on their longest road trip of the season, a ten-game trip to play the Rangers and the Astros in Texas and the Mariners in Seattle. They played five of those ten games. Games were postponed in solidarity for social justice and also because one member of the Athletics organization tested positive for Covid-19.

You’ll never see a team take five or six days off during a season, not even during the All Star Break, but this is 2020, where all your sweet dreams or nightmares can come true and this last road trip for the Green and Gold was very unusual, to say the least.

They return Friday to the Oakland Coliseum, to open a seven-game series, three against the San Diego Padres, followed by four against the Houston Astros.

The San Diego Padres were the busiest team during the trade deadline, as they landed coveted pitcher Mike Clevinger in a nine player blockbuster deal. Solidifying an already excellent starting rotation and also acquiring veteran Mitch Moreland to join an already potent offense with Fernando Tatis Jr, Manny Machado, Eric Hosmer and company.

The A’s acquired lefty Mike Minor from Texas, a veteran, who was an All Star in 2019. Also traded for Tommy La Stella from the LA Angels, sending Franklin Barreto and cash considerations to the Angels.

With a 22-12 record and with a 13-4 home record the A’s are in first place over the Houston Astros, who recently swept them in a double-header at Minute Maid Park.

A good question for this home stand: How do the A’s respond after almost a full week of inactivity? Baseball is a game of repetition, practice, timing, feel, and sometimes when you stay away for a few days; you are not as sharp as when you play every day. A’s manager Bob Melvin admits is it not easy, but also said there is no excuse.

The month of September just began and the Athletics will have to play at least three (3) double-headers. It is not getting easier for Bob Melvin’s crew in the home stretch of 2020. We will soon find out.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Other mentions:  The great pioneer and visionary, Branch Rickey who signed Jackie Robinson to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers is credited for this memorable quote. “The greatest untapped reservoir of raw material in the history of our game is the black race.” Source: AP Wire During the Signing of Jackie Robinson (1946)

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