Much like the A's, the cross bay rival San Francisco Giants got off to a hot start in 2010 and after three weeks they are second in the National League west division. Their 8-7 record doesn't display how well the team has played thus far and how well they will continue to play as long as the team sticks to their strength.
That can be said about both clubs. The Giants and the A's both lack high scoring offenses and neither features a clear superstar hitter in their lineup but both are stacked with young pitching talent. The A's rank first in the A.L in team ERA and third in the majors in that category. They are tied for the A.L lead with 10 quality starts and are second in the A.L and third in the majors in strikeouts. The Giants are third in the majors in ERA and are only.03 runs ahead of the A's. They also rank second in the majors and N.L in quality starts. The Giants and the A's rank 12th and 17th in the MLB in runs scored so it is clear that both team's strengths are not scoring runs, but keeping the other team from scoring.
Despite hot starts from both staffs, could pitching be enough to keep these teams fighting for their division leads? In the last 10 games the A's are an even 5-5 and had lost three of their past four. The giants after starting 4-1 in the first week, are just 4-6 in their last ten and are only one game over .500.
The A's haven't won a division or made the playoffs since 2006 are were projected by many to finish last again but it looks like they may be wrong. The Giants have not been to the playoffs since 2003 but were picked by many to win their division this year after the team upgraded its offense and they kept 4 of their 5 starters from last season's dominating rotation.
-J. DeClercq
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