Athletics surprising the league while waiting for the bats to wake up originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Coming into the 2026 season, many believed that the Athletics‘ pitching staff would be a glaring weakness. They didn’t do much to address it over the offseason other than adding Aaron Civale.
And so far, the staff has been a weakness. However, it has not been so bad that it has ruined their season. Jeffrey Springs has stepped up well, and Civale is holding his own with his 2-1 record.
It is the offense that has some fans scratching their heads. While Shea Langeliers is off to a blistering start, some of the other heavy hitters aren’t looking the part yet.
MORE: Surprise high-leverage success has the Athletics looking competitive
Athletics are surprising the league while waiting for the bats to wake up
Langeliers leads the team with eight home runs, while Nick Kurtz is not off to as hot a start as some would have hoped. He has just four home runs, but it is early in the season, and there’s more than enough time to figure it out at the plate.
With a shaky pitching staff and the offense underperforming at times, it’s a mystery that the A’s lead the AL West with a 13-12 record. But Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer expects the offense to pick it up here soon.
“Offensively, though, this A’s team is underachieving. Nick Kurtz hasn’t turned the power on yet, while Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom just aren’t hitting. Brent Rooker is injured, too. Eventually, those tides will turn in different directions.”
With the amount of sluggers scattered across the roster, it will be hard to keep all these guys down all season long. Eventually, some will get hot and figure it out.
When that happens, it might not matter how shaky the starting rotation is. The A’s could very well see themselves battling for a postseason spot, but hitters not named Shea Langeliers need to get a streak going first.
More MLB news:
- High strikeout rates and run differential have the Rangers looking dangerous
- Reds need to buy bats if they want to spark a true ‘Cinderella run’
- Orioles viewed as top trade candidate for Cardinals’ high-leverage lefty
- MLB analyst sets the stage for Twins’ backstop to be traded later this summer
- Rockies’ reliever could be the hidden gem of the 2026 trade market