Tag: Baseball

A’s win opener in a 6-5 walk-off win over Angels

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND — What a glorious day to play a ballgame! The weather at the Coliseum was fantastic, and the A’s and Angels were getting ready to play the first game of the season. The fans filed in, and the festivities were underway to kick off the 2018 season. A’s Hall of Fame pitcher Rollie Fingers threw out the first pitch to conclude the Opening Day ceremonies and the time has come to Play Ball.

Kendall Graveman started for Oakland, and he was not at his best. He went five-plus innings and was tagged for five runs, all earned. In his five-plus innings of work, he threw 78 pitches and gave up seven hits, including three solo home runs, a triple and a double. A’s designated hitter Khris Davis put a charge in the A’s offense when he homered with two men on. First baseman Matt Olson, the next batter after Davis, blasted his first of the year to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth. The A’s tied the game in the seventh and won it 6-5 in a walk-off in the 11th. It was a thriller.

Graveman was the starting pitcher for the A’s, and he was opposed by the Angels’ Garrett Richards. It was the second year in a row that two pitchers faced each other on Opening Day. Graveman set the Angels down in order in the first inning, but ran into trouble in the second.

The Angels drew first blood as the scored two runs on four hits. Kole Calhoun got things going for the Angels when he tripled to deep right centerfield. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons singled sharply to centerfield to drive in Calhoun. Graveman retired Luis Valbuena when third baseman Matt Chapman made a sensational catch over the tarpaulin to record the out. The next batter, Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani making his Major League debut, singled to right to send Simmons to third. Angels’ catcher Martin Maldonado hit a ground rule double to drive in Simmons with the Angels second run. The A’s mounted a threat in their half of the second when they put men on at second and third with two out, but Matt Joyce struck out to end the threat. The Angels lead 2-0 after two innings of play.

The Angels upped the lead to 3-0 in the fourth inning when Kole Calhoun, who seems to own Graveman, homered to deep left centerfield. Graveman settled down and retired the next three Angel hitters. The A’s failed to score in the bottom of the inning. In the top of the fifth, the Angels added another run on the strength of Zach Cozart’s first dinger of the season. The A’s got on the board in their half of the fifth. With one out, Richards walked Matt Joyce and Marcus Semien. He struck out Jed Lowrie for the second out. The A’s DH Khris “Khrush” Davis homered just over the wall in left centerfield to make it 4-3. The next batter Matt Olson tied the game with a solo blast to right.

Graveman, facing Albert Pujols leading off the sixth, served up another gopher ball. Pujols sent the ball deep into the left-field seats for his first homer of the season and 615th of his career for the future Hall of Fame player. Graveman was done for the day and was replaced by Ryan Buchter who was making his Oakland A’s debut. The A’s tied the game in the bottom of the seventh.With one out, three consecutive singles by Semien, Lowrie, and Khris Davis produced the A’s fifth run

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 11th. With one out, Boog Powell tripled over the head of Justin Upton who was not playing deep. The Angels issued an intentional walk to Matt Joyce to set up an inning-ending double play. Angel manager Mike Scioscia brought Upton as a fifth infielder. The strategy failed as Marcus Semien singled to center to end the game and send the 27,764 fans home very happy. Final score: The A’s won 6-5.

Game Notes: Time of game was four hours and two minutes and 27,764 fans were at the game. The hitting stars for Oakland were Marcus Semien with hits, including the game-winning single, and Boog Powell with a double and a triple. His triple in the 11th inning set up the winning run. Khris Davis with singles and homered to drive in four runs. Matt Olson hit a moonshot Jed Lowrie contributed two hits to help the A’s win.

The Angels’ second baseman, Zach Cozart, in his first game as an Angel had three hits, including a home run and a double. Kole Calhoun recorded a home run, a triple, and a single to start the season. Future Hall of Fame player, Albert Pujols, had two hits including the 615th home run of his illustrious career. Catcher Martin Maldonado tormented the A’s pitching staff as he had three hits. Angels’ rookie Shohei Ohtani singled on the very first pitch in the Major League. The A’s shut him down the rest of the way. Two-time MVP Mike Trout went hitless in six at-bats.

Up Next: Game two of the four-game series will be played at 7:05 pm PST Friday night. Sean Manaea will pitch for Oakland, and Tyler Skaggs will start for the Angels.

 

 

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Will Cahill and Anderson eventually end up in the Oak A’s starting rotation; three pitchers out before season starts

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @athletics_fanly

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 It’s the first opening day for the Oakland A’s to be played at home in the day time since 1994. Jerry takes a look at the significance of what the A’s hope will start a trend.

#2 The A’s have lost three starters before the season even started, losing Jharel Cotton and AJ Puk to torn ulnar collateral ligaments. Both Cotton and Puk are expected to be out of for the rest of the season. John Blackburn is out with forearm tightness.

#3 Kendall Graveman is the A’s starter. The A’s pitching coach Scott Emerson says keeping Graveman healthy is crucial to keep his arm from burning out. He will be limited in his side sessions.

#4 Can the A’s have a healthy starting rotation and can they get some effective starts?

#5 Talk about Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill. Will they eventually make the rotation, considering how scarce pitching could get on the A’s staff?

Jerry does the A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants’ season set to get underway in Los Angeles against the Dodgers

Published on by jeremy2878Leave a comment

Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Harness

After the Giants concluded the annual pre-season Bay Bridge series with the A’s, the Giants had a day off Wednesday and are now preparing to face the Dodgers in Los Angeles to kick off the 2018 season on Thursday.

However, one thing will be glaringly different about the way the Giants look on the field for Opening Day. Madison Bumgarner has consistently been the team’s Opening Day starter, but due to his suffering a broken metacarpal on his left hand, he will not be out there Thursday.

Instead, it will be fellow lefty Ty Blach to take the hill for the Giants opposite Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw.

Blach earned the Opening Day start almost by default, as Jeff Samardzija suffered a pectoral strain and will miss his first scheduled start of the year. However, he is reportedly expected to test out the strain on Wednesday, to gauge how much time he expects to miss.

If that’s not enough, the Giants have another injury concern on the mound, and it surrounds closer Mark Melancon. He last pitched March 23, and there is growing concern that he’s not fully back from the forearm surgery that he had in September.

The rosters need to be turned in by 8:30 a.m. Thursday, sand there is a strong possibility that Melancon will be placed on the disabled list along with Bumgarner and Samardzija.

The Dodgers, on the other hand, don’t have nearly as many injury issues, but they do have one. Third baseman Justin Turner was hit by a pitch by A’s righty Kendall Graveman about a week ago and suffered a broken wrist as a result, and he will miss significant time.

Johnny Cueto will start Friday night for the Giants, as he goes up against Dodgers lefty Alex Wood.

Baseball is back as the A’s open the 2018 season against the Angels

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Photo credit: @angels_fanly

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND — On Thursday, March 29th, 2018, Major League Baseball returns after six long months of inactivity. The A’s last played at the Coliseum way back in September, and the fans have been drooling for the season to start, and that will happen Thursday afternoon at 1 pm.

Opening day is such a special day. The players are excited to get the season going, and the A’s are playing a day opener for the first time since 1994. The A’s management will have the bunting out to decorate the stadium, and the grass will never be so green as it is on opening day. There will be a presentation of the colors and then the singing of the National Anthem to be followed by a flyover by the Navy that the fans always love.

The A’s, under the leadership of President Dave Kaval, have made improvements to the stadium so that the baseball experience will be even better. The food trucks are back, and the A’s have made improvements to the food being served at the park.

The A’s have taken a section in left field and made it into an area to be known as the Treehouse. Fans can stay out there for the game and enjoy great food and beer while the game is going on.

The A’s have also created an area known as the Farm where fresh vegetables will be grown. The hates tarps will not be around this year, and if the team improves as many people think they can, the team will need the extra seating.

The A’s are committed to having ties with the past. On Wednesday, the A’s hosted a gala at their new office at 55 Harrison Street in Oakland. Many community leaders were present as were many of the great players that brought Oakland six Pennants and four World Championships. Rickey Henderson, perhaps the greatest Oakland Athletic of all-time, was there. Carney Lansford and Terry Steinbach were there. Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers were there, and all these former players will be in attendance Friday night for the night opener.

The A’s, under manager Bob Melvin, are looking to escape from the cellar of the American League West, where they have resided for the past three years. The A’s brought up some of the best prospects near the tail end of the season last year. The A’s traded Yonder Alonso to the Seattle Mariners to make room for Matt Olson at first base. Jed Lowrie had a terrific bounce-back year at second base, and his 49 doubles were second-best in the AL in that department. Marcus Semien missed about half the season, but he is healthy now and hopes to be a force in the lineup. Matt Chapman will be at third base, and he showed he belonged with great fielding. He also has a lot of power.

The outfield will consist of Matt Joyce and Chad Pinder platooning in left field. Joyce hit 25 homers after a slow start and Pinder also showed that he can hit with power and he can play several positions. Boog Powell will start in center but Dustin Fowler, who was sent down to Triple-A to get more playing time, will be back. Right field will be patrolled by Steve Piscotty who came to Oakland in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Khris Davis, who hit 43 dingers last year, will be the DH. The catching chores will be done by former All-Star Jonathan Lucroy. Lucroy could be the best bargain of the year. Bruce Maxwell will be the backup catcher.

The big problem for the A’s could be the starting rotation. The A’s are hoping for big things from Kendall Graveman and Sean Manaea. Graveman was hurt last year and recorded just six wins. Manaea led the team with 12 victories. These two pitchers could be the keys to the A’s success if they can be more consistent. Lucroy’s vast experience handling pitchers should be beneficial. Daniel Mengden, who was up and down last year, came on strong in September after he made an adjustment in his pitching motion and he seems to be on the right track. Filling out the rotation will be Andrew Triggs and Daniel Gossett. The A’s lost Jharel Cotton for the season as he underwent Tommy John surgery last week. Plack Blackburn, who pitched well before being hurt last year, has some arm problems, and the A’s first-round draft pick of 2016 A.J. Puk appears to be heading for Tommy Joh surgery, too. The A’s signed Trevor Cahill to a contract, and he is at Nashville getting to be called up when needed.

The A’s bullpen added Emilio Pagan from Seattle to go with Chris Hatcher, Liam Hendriks, Santiago Casilla, Yusmeiro Petit, and Blake Treinen. Danny Coulombe and Paul Buchter are the lefty relievers. Ryan Dull will start the season on the DL.

The A’s start the season against their division rival, the Los Angeles Angels. Everyone in the division will be gunning for the World Champion Houston Astros. The A’s, without question, are trying to emulate the Astros. Everybody is trying to do what the Astros did. It wasn’t that long ago that the Astros were known as the Lastros. They developed young talent and did it pay off. The Astros won their first World Championship in their 55th season of operation. That, too, could happen to Oakland, If that were to happen and if the A’s were to get the new stadium built, they would have no trouble putting people into the seats at the old ballpark.

It’s opening day where all the teams are in first place. It’s time for the fans to come out early and remember that boys in Green and Gold will be doing their best to get off to a good start. It’s opening day, and that means hot dogs and beer. It’s opening day and its a time for optimism. It’s opening day, and it’s time to say Play Ball!

Giants to start 2018 season with patchwork rotation

Published on by jeremy2878Leave a comment

Photo credit: @Starting9

By Jeremy Harness

SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants spent a great deal of time–and money–upgrading their lineup in the field. Meanwhile, the once-vaunted rotation has begun to fall apart.

The most glaring absence is that of Madison Bumgarner, who suffered a fracture in his left hand after getting hit by a line drive Friday and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks as a result.

Enter Derek Holland, who started Monday’s game for the Giants and had his longest and overall best outing of the spring but was marred by a pair of solo home runs in a 9-2 loss to the A’s at AT&T Park.

Holland gave up only two runs on four hits over five innings and cruised through the first two innings without much issue. However, he made a huge location mistake in the third, and Matt Chapman made him pay for it immediately. He left a fastball over the plate waist-high, and Chapman drove it into the left-field seats to tie the game at 1-1.

Two innings later, he made the same mistake to Mark Canha, and the result was just as damaging. Holland could only watch as the ball disappeared into the seats in center field as the Giants fell behind, 2-1.

All in all, it has been a productive spring for Holland, who was a non-roster invitee to spring training who has been penciled in as part of the Giants’ starting rotation when the season starts. The former Ranger, who spent last season with the White Sox, had a 4.20 ERA entering Monday but showed very good command of the strike zone, which is what the Giants are looking for.

To make room for Holland on the roster, the Giants released outfielder Jarrett Parker.

He will take the mound for the Giants for Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, assuming the spot originally saved for Jeff Samardjiza, who has a strained pectoral muscle and will be out for the next 10 days, thus missing his first scheduled start of the year.

As the Giants head into Opening Day, the rotation is expected to look like this: right-hander Johnny Cueto, lefty Ty Blach, Holland and righty Chris Stratton.

After trailing by a run after seven innings, the Giants rallied in their half of the eighth and tied the game when Gorkys Hernandez sprinted home on a wild pitch.

The game eventually went into extra innings, but Oakland dropped a seven-spot in the 10th to even up this annual Bay Bridge series.

Opinion: Is Netting Truly Necessary at MLB Games?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: nesn.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — This season, all 30 MLB teams will have protective netting in their respective ballpark, which is a debatable subject among baseball fans. It doesn’t matter what team you root for, there are some who think it’s a good idea to prevent future injuries and there are also some who would disagree, thinking it’s nothing more but an overreaction.

Personally, I think that netting isn’t truly necessary at MLB games. Sure, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement: “Providing baseball fans with a variety of seating options when they come to the ballpark, including seats behind protective netting, is important…Major League Clubs are constantly evaluating the coverage and design of their ballpark netting and I am pleased that they are providing fans an increased inventory of protected seats.” But like any other subject, there are pros and cons that come along with it.

The pros are that netting is an easy fix, the statement “pay better attention” is unrealistic and the thought “once is enough” is, well enough. The cons mention that netting is just an “overreaction,” fans should know what they’re getting themselves into and the seeminly indefinite question: “When does it end?”

I have to add my two cents in a belief that should be so obvious that there shouldn’t be a need to say it. But there’s no actual need for netting that extend to at least the far ends of both dugouts because if someone is fortunate enough to be sitting in close seats near home plate, he or she should simply put the phone away and watch the ballgame. During a game, the phone should only be used to capture a photo, video or snap of a significant moment like a grand slam, a no-hitter and vice versa.

It’s not only some fans making arguments on the netting either. San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey has also made an argument without even trying. In June 2016, Posey was batting in the first inning in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the bat flew out of his hands and ended up getting stuck way up in the netting at AT&T Park. Yeah, it was so high that the Giants’ facility crew had to use a ladder to get it back.

To refresh your memory, there have been some dangerous incidents like when a young girl who got injured by a 105 mph foul at Yankee Stadium in September 2017 and a woman who suffered life-threatening injuries after being hit by a broken bat at Fenway Park. It’s unfortunate that situations like these have occurred in the past, but most, if not all, of them could’ve been prevented if someone paid attention to the game because they’re supposed to be there to cheer on their favorite team.

Baseball may be too slow and tedious, but it’s still a sport that’s worth watching live at the ballpark. Play ball!

Cueto’s sharp in final start; Giants rout A’s 5-1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @BerkeleyBrennan

By Jeremy Kahn

OAKLAND — It may be just an exhibition game, but whenever the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A’s get together, it is always a good time.

Buster Posey hit a two-run double in the top of the third inning that scored Gregor Blanco and Nick Hundley, as the Giants took the first game of the Bay Bridge Series with a 5-1 victory over the A’s before a crowd of 21,229 at the Coliseum.

The Giants added another run in the inning, as Joe Panik scored on a sacrifice fly by Pablo Sandoval.

Jed Lowrie got the A’s on the board in the bottom of the inning, as he singled to centerfield to score Dustin Fowler.

Stephen Duggar robbed Matt Joyce of a potential home run, as the center fielder went over the wall to bring the ball back into play.

Johnny Cueto looked great in his final preseason start, as he went five and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on five hits, walking one and striking out six.

Sandoval put the game out of reach in the top of the eighth inning, as he launched a Raul Alcantara offering onto the stairs in right field for his fourth home run of the spring.

NOTES: With the victory, the Giants improved to 14-16-2 this spring season.

When the Giants open the season on Thursday at Dodger Stadium, this will be the 31st meeting between the two rivals on Opening Day since 1900 and the records between to the two teams is 15-15.

Madison Bumgarner suffered a displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal on his left hand after getting hit by a Whit Merrifield line drive on Friday.

Jeff Samardzija was diagnosed with a strained pectoral muscle and will rest for 10 days before beginning to throw again.

UP NEXT: The Bay Bridge Series between the Giants and A’s will shift to AT&T Park Monday night at 7:15 pm PST.

River Cats hang on to defeat Giants 6-5

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @RiverCats

By Jeremy Kahn

With the regular season starting in just five days, the San Francisco Giants have returned to Northern California after breaking camp in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Before their exhibition ending three-game series against the Oakland A’s beginning on Sunday at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, the Giants headed 90 miles north to Sacramento, the state capital of California, to face the Sacramento Rivercats.

Shaun Anderson started the game for the Giants, as he went 3.2 innings, allowing three runs (two earned), not walking a batter and striking out four. However, he did not fare in the decision.

Jerry Sands hit a two-run home run off of Cory Gearrin in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Rivercats hung on to defeat the Giants 6-5 at Raley Field.

D.J. Snelten struck out the side in the top of the sixth inning to pick-up the victory for the Rivercats, who open the season on April 5 against the Tacoma Rainiers.

In his only inning of work, Gearrin gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits and walked two, before giving way to Jose Valdez.

Despite giving up two hits in the top of the ninth inning, Reyes Moronta struck out the side to pick-up the save for the Rivercats.

The Giants played their regulars Joe Panik, Brandon Belt, Andrew McCutchen, Evan Longoria, Brandon Crawford, Hunter Pence, Pablo Sandoval, Austin Jackson and Nick Hundley went a combined 7-for-23 against Rivercats pitching.

Kelby Tomilnson went 1-for-2, as did Jordan Arenado, the younger brother of Colorado Rockies star third baseman Nolan Arenado.

NOTES: Madison Bumgarner underwent surgery on his left pinkie, where pins were inserted into the hand. Bumgarner will miss six to eight weeks.

UP NEXT: The Giants and A’s begin their annual Bay Bridge Series on Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum, before heading across the Bay to finish the last two games at AT&T Park.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Cesar Chavez Day to be held on March 31st at the Coliseum

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Athletics

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

On Saturday March 31st, the Oakland Athletics will be celebrating a special day for César Chávez, the ex-UFW (United Farm Worker) leader. Over 200 members of his family, including his sister and son, will be there on the field for the ceremonial first pitch.

It is about time a Bay Area sports team chose to recognize such a great leader, which I happened to interview in the late 1970s in Salinas, for KOFY 1050 AM Radio Bay Area, during one of his famous marches.

Chávez co-founded the National Farm Workers Association. He was a very strong activist who defended the rights of legal migrant workers, who had to have a permit to come from Mexico and work on the fields back in the day. He was a man of great integrity and dignity. He passed in 1993, but members of his family will be honored on this special day at the Oakland Coliseum, home of the Oakland A’s, who are celebrating their 50th Anniversary in Oakland.

As a Hispanic, I said: “about time this man gets the recognition he deserved” and I applaud the Oakland A’s for being the first professional MLB team to do so.

Saludos,
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Oakland Athletics’ Spanish Announcer

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: 2018 MLB Predictions on West and East

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: awfulannouncing.com

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

2017 was a great season for Major League Baseball, culminating with the Houston Astros defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers and winning their first-ever World Series.

After another great season in 2017, José Altuve will hang around for at least another seven years with the champs signing a brand-new $163.5 million contract on this month of March.

Many other exciting things happened in the 2017 season like the Minnesota Twins, who finished in last place in 2016, reaching the playoffs. The Cleveland Indians set a new American League record with 22 victories in a row. Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols reached the magical 600 home run mark. Pujols ranks #7 with 614 on the home run list and he is just 32 hits short of 3,000. Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltré reached 3,000 hits. The Los Angeles Dodgers won their fifth consecutive division title.

However, it wasn’t very good overall for our two local Bay Area teams, the Athletics and Giants, as both finished in last place. This was the first time they both finished as cellar-dwellers the same year. In 1995, they both ended up at the bottom with identical records of 67-77, but that season was shortened by a labor dispute.

So this is how I see this 2018 season that is just around the corner…

American League West
1. Houston Astros
2. Los Angeles Angels
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Texas Rangers
5. Oakland Athletics

The World Champion Astros are an easy pick to win this division again as they got even stronger after acquiring Gerrit Cole along with Justin Verlander.

The Angels picked up young Japanese prospect, Shohei Ohtani, considered by many as “The Babe Ruth of Japan.” Ohtani is a right-handed pitcher who hits left-handed with power. Angels also addressed their infield needs as they acquired Ian Kinsler who will play second base and Zack Cozart (shortstop). who will play at third for Mike Scioscia’s ball club. Scioscia will be on his 19th season as manager, at the start of this 2018 season, currently the longest consecutive tenure for a manager. The Angels watched the playoffs pass by them for the third consecutive season after finishing five games behind the Twins in the American League Wild Card race in 2017. They haven’t won a postseason game since 2009, even with the incomparable New Jersey native Mike Trout on their roster for the past six seasons. Trout is arguably the best player in the game. Because of an injury to his left thumb, Trout played in 114 games, hit .306, hit 33 home runs and drove in 72 runs.

For the Halos, their lone playoff appearance with Trout came in 2014, when they were swept by the Royals in the American League Division Series. Trout remains signed through 2020, but the Angels’ window to capitalize on the 26-year-old superstar in his prime is shrinking.

I had the pleasure of covering Trout for the past seven seasons in Anaheim since his rookie year. In my opinion, he is not only the best player in the game, but he is a great man who is talented, dedicated and always joyful to take the field. He is the whole package.

The biggest question mark for the Angels will be: Can their pitchers stay healthy?

They still have a young and talented rotation with Richards, Othani, Shoemaker, Heaney, Skaggs and Ramirez. They could go to a six-man rotation sometimes during the season, like when they have long stretches of consecutive days, without any days off. It will be fascinating to see how the young Ohtani will do and how would he be used.

I believe the Angels are a serious Wild Card contender. The Angel Stadium in Anaheim will be rocking this year, not only because they have Trout, but Pujols will begin the 2018 season with 614 home runs with the titles of only active player with over 600 and #7 on the top 10 all-time home run list. The Dominican is only 32 hits shy from 3,000.

Not to mention they were the team to sign Japanese super prospect, pitcher and hitter, Shohei Ohtani. The Angels will debut the third-largest electronic message board in baseball in Anaheim. All of this could make their owner, Arte Moreno, very happy this year, but most of all, contingent play all the way until October.

The Mariners are basically the same team as last season. 2017 was a disappointment. It looks like the great Felix “The King” Hernandez is not the same dominant pitcher. Also, most of their starting rotation has been hurt. They are still a great offensive team with Segura, Canó, Cruz, Seager and company, provides enough runs for them to stay in games, but just like the Angels, their pitching is suspect. Ichiro is returning to Seattle (his first team in 2001) on a one- year contract because the M’s said that he is going to play. Ichiro reportedly said he wants to play until he is 50. He is 44 to start the season.

The Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics have not been picked to win this division, but both teams have lots of talent. In this case, the A’s have a lot of younger talent compared to the Rangers. For Texas, Adrian Beltré, who reached the 3,000 hit mark last season, and a sure pick for Cooperstown, is on his last contractual year. Elvis Andrus, Joey Gallo and Rougned Odor provide solid leadership and offense. The starting rotation has four lefty starters: Cole Hamels, Martín Pérez, Mike Minor and Matt Moore. Their bullpen needs a boost. Bartolo Colón signed a minor league deal with the team, but we all know no team would sign Colón to play in the minor leagues. Well, at least not with his control.

Question: Who will play the longest, Colón or Ichiro? My bet is on Colon since the Dominican Republic native will be looking to win at least six more games so he could pass Nicaraguan Dennis “El Presidente”Martinez as the Latin pitcher with most wins in history (245). Dennis Martinez won two more games than Juan Marichal, who ended his Hall of Fame career with 243 wins. But even with Colon, a very-respectable number five pitcher on any rotation, the Rangers are likely going to be the underdogs this season. My guess, if Colón wins those six games, he will consider retirement.

The Oakland Athletics finished last for the third consecutive season in 2017 with a 75-87 record, but manager Bob Melvin was always an optimist with an abundance of hope.  One of the best home run hitting teams in baseball that plays in one of most difficult home run parks, Khris Davis returns for at least another year, as he signed for 2018, for $10.5 million. Davis hit 43 home runs and drove in 110 runs last season and is the highest paid player in the roster. Davis became the fifth A’s player to hit 40 home runs in a season, alongside Reginaldo Martinez “Reggie” Jackson, José Canseco, Mark McGwire and Jason Giambi.

Strong in the infield with a young, talented Matt Chapman at third and Matt Olson at first, at the corners–“The Matt Boys” supply lots of power. Marcus Semien will enter his sixth major league season and third with the A’s at shortstop. Veteran Jed Lowrie, who gives them an all-around performance at second base.

The A’s picked up Stephen Piscotty of the Cardinals to play in the outfield. He returns to the Bay Area after spending three years in St. Louis. He attended Stanford University.

The A’s also addressed their catching situation shortly after they signed veteran Jonathan Lucroy.

The A’s bullpen improved as they acquired left-handed pitcher Ryan Buchter, signed Yusmeiro Petit as a free agent and acquired right-handed pitcher and young hardthrower Emilio Pagán early after his season ended from Seattle on the trade that sent the talented Ryon Healy to the M’s.

Melvin will have a young pitching staff. The A’s are starting off as pitching challenged. Jharel Cotton will be out for the entire season with Tommy John surgery, To replace Cotton, they signed Trevor Cahill for this season. Yes, the same Cahill who began his career with the A’s in 2009 and was an 2010 All-Star in Arizona.

Another familiar face in Oakland is returning, lefty Brett Anderson  who pitched with the A’s from 2009 to 2013. Kendall Graveman will be their Opening Day starter for the second year in a row also against the Angels, followed by Sean Manaea, and then guys like Daniel Mengden, Andrew Triggs, Paul Blackburn will all be in the mix.

This year, it could be a challenge for Bob Melvin as well as pitching coach Scott Emerson when it comes to pitching and looking for the winning combination.

The A’s are a glorious franchise that dates to 1901 as a charter member of the American League as the Philadelphia Athletics. They have won nine World Championships, the third-most of all current MLB teams. Only Yankees and Cardinals have won more World Series than the A’s. The A’s have a young and powerful offense, they were the fourth team with most home runs last year, with 234. When a team can hit for power, like the young A’s, they are always entertaining.

Sure, the A’s could surprise us. After all, it is baseball, and there are always surprises each season. Some say, “What excitement these young guys will bring!” and that could be true as the sky is the limit especially for guys like Davis,Chapman,Olson. But at the end of the day, it will probably be another tough season for the Green and Gold.

Note: There’s a new attraction at the Coliseum called “The Treehouse,” which is a new destination area above the left field bleachers in the Oakland Coliseum that is set to debut during the 2018 season. The Treehouse will be open to all fans and will feature two full-service bars, standing-room and lounge seating, numerous televisions and pre and post game entertainment. In good conscience, I had to pick the A’s to finish last again, but I would love it if they were to prove me wrong.

Significant A’s note: Celebrating their 50th Anniversary in Oakland. On April 17, the A’s game vs. Chicago White Sox will provide free admission for everybody. During every Wednesday home game in the regular season, fans can pick the price they pay for their tickets. In addition, there will be more Fireworks at the Coliseum this season.

National League West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers

2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. Colorado Rockies
4. San Francisco Giants

5. San Diego Padres

I do not see anybody better here than the Dodgers. Although, they will begin their season without their top clutch hitter and third baseman, Justin Turner, who was hit by a pitch in Spring Training on his left wrist, causing a fracture, but no surgery was necessary. He will begin 2018 on the DL.

I think the Dodgers will shoot for a sixth consecutive division title this year. 2018 is the last year on the contract for the best pitcher in the game Clayton Kershaw. With a solid offense, good defense, great bullpen, they should be able win the west.

Arizona is a serious candidate for a wild card as well as Colorado. Arizona signed Japanese right-handed reliever Yoshihisa Hirano as well as veteran catcher Alex Avila. This season, they should take advantage of a window of opportunity since outfielder A.J Pollock, and left-handed pitcher, Patrick Corbin, are eligible for free agency after the season. Their superstar first baseman, Paul Goldschmidt, is just two years away from the same situation.

The Rockies have a good young rotation, but lack a #1 pitcher, a stopper to halt losing streaks. Well-balanced, all-around players like Nolan Arenado–an MVP contender every year–are hard to come by. He finished 2017 with a .309 average, 37 home runs and 130 RBI. He became the first and only third baseman in history to win five Gold Gloves in his first five years in the majors.

Charlie Blackmon is arguably one of the best players in the game. The center fielder enjoyed a tremendous 2017 where he hit .331 with 37 homers and 104 batted in.

Ian Desmond and Carlos González were held back due to injuries, but are two solid players that could easily bounce back. The Rockies appear to hope to improve on the wild card finish they had last season. This Rockies team can hit anyplace, not only in Coors Field.

In 2017, the San Francisco Giants finished 64-98. This offseason, the Giants acquired veterans Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen to play in the outfield, while trying to complete revamping their outfield by picking up veteran Austin Jackson.

Madison Bumgarner was struck in his pitching hand by a line drive hit by Kansas City’s Whit Merrifield in the third inning of a game on March 23 and was diagnosed with a left hand fracture, so he will begin 2018 on the DL. Also, Jeff Samardzija will begin this season on the DL with strained pectoral muscles. That being said, the Giants need a healthy closer in Mark Melancon, who was on the DL three times in 2017.

Brandon Crawford and Brandon Bell, also known as “The Brandon Boys,” will need better years offensively. Longoria and McCutchen provide much-needed power to a team that finished last in both leagues last season with a puny 128 home runs and last in runs batted in with 612.

Although Buster Posey hit a solid .320, he only hit 12 home runs and drove in 67 runs. During his nine-year career with the Giants, only once has Posey drove in over 100 runs in 2012. Despite all that, Posey remains the face of this franchise.

Pablo Sandoval is looking for some at-bats to regain the magic he had during the Giants’ three World Championships. Every projected starting position player with the Giants, with the exception of second baseman Joe Panik, is in his 30’s.

At the beginning of Spring Training, the Giants signed left-handed reliever Tony Watson for two years, with a third year option. He is 32, so he fits right in with the Giants over 30 crowd.

It’s hard to believe that AT&T, once SBC and PAC Bell Park is 18 years old! I remember calling their first game there. The San Diego Padres, who finished in the cellar in 2016, passed them last year. The Friars’ big deal this offseason was signing free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer to a sweet eight-year, $144 million contract.

I would place the Giants on top of the Padres this season because they seem to have a deeper club, and they shall start the season with a healthy Madison Bumgarner, unlike 2017. The Padres deserve a lot of respect, they are an overall young club that’s continuing to improve.

The Giants will have to win 17 more games this year to reach the .500 mark with 81 wins. It will not be easy. But if they do, a wild card for Bruce Bochy’s Giants could be in sight.

In today’s game, it doesn’t matter if you win 100 games during the regular season as many teams have won just over 80 games and won the World Series.

Case and point: Last World Series they won in 2014, they ended season with 88-74.

Significant Giants note: On August 11, Barry Bonds’ #25 will be retired at AT&T Park, in a series against his first team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Rest

American League
East: The Boston Red Sox have to win this division, just because they have more pitching than the Yankees plus they also improved their offense signing free agent J.D. Martinez. The Yankees have a serious and perhaps the best bullpen in the world. However, the Red Sox’s starting rotation is much more superior, so I see the Yanks good for a Wild Card berth.

Central: I think the Cleveland Indians to win the division, and should be easy for the Tribe.

The Twins did great last year. This offseason, they signed underrated starter Lance Lynn, and they be back as a wild card. Look for their young-powerful third baseman Miguel Sanó to have a monster year. Also, Paul Molitor is an excellent skipper.

West: Houston Astros are going to win the division again. Angels, Yankees, Twins and Toronto will be among wild card contenders.

Duo to watch? Yankees’ Judge and Stanton. Together, they both could produce over 100 home runs.

National League
East: Washington Nationals on a class of their own, should win by 10 games, they won it by 20 last year. There is nobody close to them.

Mets would need two more Céspedes in their lineup, but their pitching should be good.

Central: The Chicago Cubs can win it again with St Louis coming in a close second.West: The Los Angeles Dodgers can win the division again. Arizona, Colorado, Milwaukee and San Francisco will be fighting for those wild cards.

Atlanta and Philadelphia should be better, fighting for .500 record.

World Series: Houston Astros vs. Washington Nationals.
A’s Opening Day on March 29 vs. Los Angeles Angels at 1:05 pm PST.
Giants Opening Day on March 29 at Los Angeles Dodgers at 4:08 pm PST.

Play Ball!

Athletics in Spanish – Oakland A’S Baseball on KIQI 1010AM and KATD 990AM Spanish Language Radio, covering the Bay Area, Oakland,San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Stockton. Broadcast of 74 live A’s homes games.including three on the road from San Francisco. SAP in Spanish on TV.

Athletics in English – NBC Sports California/MLB Net/FOX Sports 1. Radio: 95.7 FM The Game, the flagship station for the Athletics Radio Network.