ArmChair Takes Dave Jaeger

Dropping my latest A's takes after the green n gold won their 40th game of the season.  While the #datanerds only give them a 35.6% chance to win the West, they're once again on pace to win 97 games (same total as '18, '19, and '20... equaled the equivalent in the shortened season) and lead the division by 2 games as we near the halfway point.  I give my takes on why I'm confident in their lineup right now --- which was on display today --- and why the starting 5 is exceeding my expectations.  Biggest needs remain reliable bullpen arms and an upgrade at short.  Finding bullpen arms should be easier and cheaper then an improvement at short, so excited to see what moves Billy pulls off before the deadline.  Give a listen #ACT

Dropping takes on the Dubs season, and the roster going forward.  Hear why I think they can contend next year with even just some minor upgrades to the roster this offseason.  Next I give my takes on the A's two biggest areas of concern and why their way-too public attempts to bully the City of Oakland are very shortsighted. Tap in #ACT 

Decided to light the mic after a wildly entertaining Zers-Suns game that ended on a bullsh*t call with the Suns eeking out the victory and more importantly the chance of the Zers falling to 7th seed and facing the Dubs in the opening round of the Play-In.  We'll get to that next week though when the matchups are set.  Before then I give my takes on the Jordan Bell signing, the Dubs-Grizz game on Sunday, and give shouts out to JTA for being rewarded with a guaranteed contract.  Juan T!  Moving on to the A's... who are not actually moving btw.... I talk the series win in Boston, how they're now tied for the most wins in baseball (23) even after the 0-6 start, my continued concerns with the bullpen and Chappy's slow start at the plate, plus why I don't give AF about the announcement that the A"s and MLB are possibly looking to relocate the team. Hard pass. #ACT

Another quick hitter before the end of the week, this time after the Dubs make light work of the Thunder and the A's split a 4-game series vs the Jays.  I get into why I don't think the Dubs filling their open roster spots matters that much now and who I want to see them face in the first play-in game.  After that I drop some takes on the A's rotation and limited bullpen, why I like their lineup better than in years past, and I'd solve their issue at shortstop.  Give a listen --- and stay tuned for a Dubs playoff pod in the next week or two #ACT

Yoooooo!  Man, it's been too long and the podcast gods punished me by handing me to L's tonight... first the A's fell 4-3 in Tampa and then the Dubs got boat raced by Dallas.  So, kept my Arm Chair Takes short and to the point: 1. I'm not worried about the Dubs after tonight, it's been a good month and schedule is still favorable down the stretch.  2. It's still too early in the season for me to have any hot takes on the A's.  Just don't have a sense yet of how good (or bad) the squad is at this point... an 0-6 start followed by a 13 game win streak will do that.  I promise to light the mic again soon and hopefully with a co-pilot or two next time #ACT    

Spring is in the air and that mean's I'm sliding in my first Oakland A's takes of the year.  Opening Day is just 3 weeks away and the defending AL West Champs have reloaded to defend their title.  Here to drop takes with me on this week's ACT is a familiar voice in Eli, and first time guest Flush aka Gamer. Both these dudes grew up with me in Berkeley and are ride or die A's fans like I am.  We discuss the highs (bullpen reinforcements) and lows (letting homegrown shortstop Marcus Semien walk) of the offseason, general concerns, position battles (2B again?!), o/u win total, and why BoMel is a legend.  Give a listen and stay tuned for more A's takes as the season gets underway. Bash me. #ACT