Elephant Rumblings: A’s look to put disastrous Sacramento opener in rearview

MLB news roundup

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

A narrative sure can shift in a hurry. On Monday, we were abuzz with optimism after the A’s strong showing in the season opening series in Seattle. There’s nothing spectacular about a 2-2 split, but the A’s offense looked promising against a feared Seattle rotation led by first baseman Tyler Soderstrom, who looked like the slugger we’ve all been hoping he’ll become—and an improved defender, to boot. Most importantly, the A’s starting pitching looked fantastic in Seattle.

Alas, the A’s could not sustain their momentum through the team’s first home series at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. The home opener was an 18-3 disaster, and the games that followed also felt like minor league affairs as the A’s were swept by the Cubs through three games and outscored by a 35-9 margin in the minor league ballpark that is the A’s temporary home.

A’s starting pitchers were knocked around badly in the Sacramento series. Expectations may have been modest for No. 5 starter Joey Estes, who pitched the home opener, but front-enders Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs also fell far short in Sacramento relative to their Athletics debuts in Seattle.

Today, the A’s will try to get back on track against the Rockies at Coors Field. This venue is challenging for pitchers, but such conditions cut both ways. Hopefully the A’s bats will really get going this weekend while the arms keep ‘em in the game. Osvaldo Bido is scheduled to face off against Rockies righty Ryan Feltner in the first game of the series.

Have a wonderful weekend, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• Three Things To Watch For The Athletics In April
• Here’s where the A’s top prospects will play to start 2025
• A’s get swept in West Sacramento debut but maintain optimism despite glitches ($)
• How Worried Should A’s be About Ballpark in Sacramento After Cubs Series?
• Will Tyler Soderstrom Become Trade Bait?

MLB News & Interest:

• St. Petersburg City Council Approves Tropicana Field Roof Repair
• Dodgers Place Freddie Freeman On Injured List
• The 6-man rotation seems like it should fit this moment. Why does it never catch on? ($)
• Jesse Chavez Elects Free Agency
• Juan Soto spent 3 weeks with his minor-league host family. Memories endure 7 years later ($)
• Astros’ Luis Garcia To Be Shut Down Four More Weeks
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Expectations management.

Kurtz SMASH.