Why The A’s Will Win The World Series

By Paul Burgarino

I know it’s only August 5th, and there are still two months of pennant chase left, but why not start thinking about the A’s in the Fall Classic. Although it is premature to talk about any sort of postseason run while the centerfield at McAfee Coliseum is in tact, the A’s recent success has captured the attention of teams around the leagues and had fans dreaming at night of the possibiliity.

1. Momentum – the youthfulness of the A’s has been on such a tear, that they almost play unconsciously. Teams tend to advance in the postseason more and more based on gaining momentum. With such a young ballclub, key plays will help carry the A’s through the playoffs.
2. Balanced Line-up – One through nine, the A’s do not have an easy out, they work pitchers deep into counts, and their mix of lefties and righties will force playoff opponents to use a lot of relievers to match-up.
3. Solid Bullpen – Meanwhile, the A’s have a lot of good arms to throw at other teams in situations in the late innings. The bullpen was a strength during their World Series teams of the late 80’s and has come around again, led by All-Star Justin Duchscherer and closer Huston Street.
4. Playoff rotation – Zito, Harden, and Haren. Outisde of Houston, no three starters have been more dominant during the second half of the season. Other potential playoff teams do not have their top three starters in such command of their pitches. Kirk Saarloos can throw a Game 4 of a longer series and Blanton and Kennedy can pitch long-relief.
5. Mid season moves – Jay Payton has done so much in his short stint in Oakland; his addition is comparable to Jermaine Dye’s during the 2000 playoff run. Jay Witasick has become a reliable short-reliever, and the call-up of Dan Johnson and return of Bobby Crosby helped energize the anemic Oakland offense. Also, it is important to note that the Angels, White Sox, Yankees, and Red Sox did not make moves to try and help their cause.
6. Emerging Heroes in the Fold – Every postseason, a hero comes out of the woodwork. Last year, Dave Roberts sparked the Red Sox comeback by swiping a base. Two years ago, former Athletic Scott Spiezio hit a homer to boost the Angels. The A’s have plenty of young talent and crafty veterans like Marco Scutaro that have come through before and could be clutch come postseason.
7. The ALDS won’t go to Game 5 – It can’t. Fortunately, most of the A’s are new and were not around for the four years of Game 5 heartbreakers. Hopefully, what they do bring is fundamentally sound baseball that includes touching bases, and, of course, sliding into home plate. Oh, and pitchers can’t get into bar fights.
8. American League ripe for the picking – The A’s swept the team with the best record (White Sox) at their park, against their aces, before the All-Star Break and play well against them. The Twins and Yankees have been decimated by injuries, and may not make the playoffs. The Angels aren’t as good as they were last year, and have been hit with the injury bug, and the Red Sox are limping towards the postseason.
9. Home-field Advantage – If there were to be a Game 7 in the World Series, thanks to the All-Star Game counting, it would be in Oakland…
10. Imagine the clubhouse celebration – No offense to the Red Sox being self-proclaimed “idiots”, but, based on the frathouse that is the Athletics clubhouse, the scene in the clubhouse following a World Series title, would rival that of a party at the Delta house in “Animal House.” Imagine the boys dousing Bobby Kielty’s (he of the Ronald McDonald costume) red mane with the bubbly, while he music blasting in the background, Barry Zito jamming on the guitar, Mark Kotsay sporting William Wallace face paint and sword, and John Belushi…in a toga…what the…

As fun and exciting as the A’s playoff run should be, for now fans and observers have to focus on that old cliche of taking it a game at a time.

But, how would the A’s match up against the Cardinals, or the Braves…