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		2010 A's: Easy to love, hard to watch By Morris Phillips June 10, 2010

	Here’s a snap assessment of the 2010 A’s: easy to root for, but hard to watch. No one could argue that the Athletics aren’t lovable: the young and unpretentious locals operate as familiar underdogs as they persistently attempt to upset the established order in Major League Baseball. But at 32-30 so far this year, the team has taken its fans on a rollercoaster with ups and downs alternating on a daily basis. In the just-concluded series with the Angels the A’s were shutdown on Monday, falling behind 4-0 before managing to push across a pair of meaningless runs late. But the next night, the A’s banged out 18 hits and a pair of homers in a 10-1 rout. On Wednesday, the Angels’ Joe Saunders shut out the A’s for eight innings in a 7-1 rout. But good things started happening again on Thursday, when the offense backed Trevor Cahill’s gem with eight singles and a double in an efficient 6-1 win. With the win, the A’s reaffirmed their love for sunshine, improving their daytime record to a major-league best 16-7. But at night, the A’s have been sleepy, winning just 16 of 39. After Wednesday’s downer, the fans expressed their frustration on the KTRB 860 post-game radio show, bemoaning the lack of offense while crying for the A’s to acquire a “big bat.” Show host Chris Townsend, who rides the rollercoaster as frequently as anyone, simply repeated his assessment, “.500 is .500.” Townsend went on to clarify that in no manner are the A’s a disappointment, with their 25 days in first place compared to their five days in third place, where they currently reside, just two games behind first-place Texas. But since Townsend is forced to field nightly calls ad naseum regarding Jermaine Dye and other mercenary sluggers, he be the first to admit that things would be whole lot rosier with more power in the A’s lineup. But these aren’t the wheeling and dealing A’s of yesteryear. These are the just trying to stay healthy for a day or two A’s. With little to offer in trade and Billy Beane’s reluctance to offer a young starting pitcher to get a temporary, offensive fix, this group has to accept the challenge to improve on its own. Besides, after a soft April and May, the A’s entered Thursday’s game tied with the White Sox for the most home runs hit in the first nine days of June with 12. That after the team hit just 30 taters in the first two months. But injuries have spoiled the Athletics’ mix, and are most responsible for the team’s inconsistent personality. Their frequent use of the disabled list has been well-chronicled and Justin Duchscherer is already done for the season. Eric Chavez and Brett Anderson aren’t done, but they could be. Consequently, the numerical contrast goes on and on without end. The A’s have the AL’s best ERA at home (2.96) and the league’s worst on the road (5.27). While everyone within shouting distance of the Coliseum wants more offense, the A’s have hit .290 and scored nearly five runs a game over the last 16 contests. Of course, over the weekend with the Twins and in the two losses to Anaheim, they often looked like they wouldn’t get another hit. And in May, the A’s scored just 99 runs, the team’s worst run output in the month of May since 1979. The A’s just followed their best road trip, 6-4 through Detroit, Boston and Baltimore with a disappointing 3-4 home stand. And what’s happened since Dallas Braden pitched his perfect game on Mother’s Day? Braden hasn’t won a game and the A’s are… you guessed it, .500 at 15-15. So what’s next? Hopefully, the A’s get healthy and stay healthy. If this current group gets well, they can hit for average and steal bases. Mark Ellis, currently hitting .277, could get hot, just like he did in September when the A’s finished with a hot streak. The pitching could improve, with the bullpen taking the biggest leap. And if all of that comes to pass, Andrew Bailey, the A’s best player so far this season, can close the door. A’s fan don’t discount this assessment: your guys are still lovable, and if things get better, they’ll be watchable too.