At 47-29 the Oakland A’s are hot, winning seven of their last nine. The hot streak has padded their lead in the AL West over the LA Angels but also against the entire American League. The Athletics currently hold the best record in all of MLB despite having lost two members of their expected starting rotation (Jarrod Parker and AJ Griffin) and getting absolutely nothing from their highest paid player, Jim Johnson. 

There is a quirk in the schedule for the A’s this week who will have both Monday and Thursday off. The Athletics are off to New York City for a two game series with the Mets before heading to Miami for a three game set next weekend. The A’s two opponents faced off this past weekend with the Mets taking three of four. As both teams float at or below .500, the week ahead for the A’s lends itself to an opportunity to pad their lead in the standings before several big series coming up afterward (vs. Detroit, Toronto, and San Francisco). 

The Mets have the unfortunate benefit of seeing the top of the A’s rotation. Here is a look at the start times and expected pitching match-ups for the two game series:

Tuesday, 6/24 @ New York, 4:10pm, Sonny Gray (7-3) vs. Bartolo Colon (7-5)

Wednesday, 6/25 @ New York, 4:10pm, Scott Kazmir (9-2) vs. Zack Wheeler (3-7)

Predictions: The Athletics will enjoy facing their old teammate in Colon and sweep the two game series.  

The A’s will then travel down to Miami to take on the Marlins for the three game series. A’s fans will get their first look at phenom Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton leads the Marlins in most offensive categories and is a player to keep an eye one during the weekend. 

Here are the announced pitching matchups for the weekend series:

Friday, 6/27 @ Miami, 4:10pm, Brad Mills (0-0) vs. Anthony DeSclafani (1-2)

Saturday, 6/28 @ Miami, 1:10pm, Jesse Chavez (6-4) vs. Nathan Eovaldi (4-3)

Sunday, 6/29 @ Miami, 10:10am, Tommy Milone (5-3) vs. Andrew Heaney (0-1)

Predictions: Again, this is a perfect opportunity for the A’s to pad their position in the standings. However, the team has to lose one at some point soon. Look for the Athletics to take two of three in Miami. 

Who’s Hot?

Coco Crisp has returned to every day action and is red hot. Despite a 1-5 performance on Saturday, Crisp had the walk-off single to give the A’s a 2-1 victory. Going into Sunday’s game, Crisp was hitting .391 over the prior seven days with 9 hits in 23 at-bats. Crisp’s likely replacement somewhere down the road, Craig Gentry, is also in a nice zone at the plate despite limited plate appearances. Gentry is hitting .351 in June and has yet to be caught stealing in 14 attempts. 

In his last two starts, Jesse Chavez has allowed just 1 run in 13 IP’s for an ERA of 0.69. Whatever wall it looked like Chavez was hitting, he has found a way to leap over it and move forward. Sean Doolittle remains lights out and has still not given up an earned run since April 26th. 

Who’s Not?

Brandon Moss and Jed Lowrie have struggled over the past week or so, with both players hitting under .200. Jeff Francis and Jim Johnson continue to struggle out of the bullpen for the A’s. Look for one or both to be off of the A’s roster soon, either via trade or being waived as the A’s will need to make space on the roster for several players returning from injury. 

A’s Roster Movement

Several moves were announced this week and, per above, expect a few more in the coming days as Eric O’Flaherty and Josh Reddick eye their respective returns.

Late last Sunday the A’s announced they sent OF Michael Taylor to the White Sox for P Jake Sanchez. The following day, when Alberto Callaspo rejoined the team from paternity leave, the club optioned Andy Parrino to the minor leagues. 

After calling up RP Evan Scribner to replace the injured Drew Pomeranz on Tuesday, the A’s optioned him back to the minors on Friday after picking up the contract of LHP Brad Mills from the Milwaukee Brewers for $1.