The Oakland Athletics are, to put it politely, not good right now.
Truthfully, they’ve been terrible. Their 2-9 record is the worst mark in MLB. They’re 28th out of 30 teams in runs scored, batting average, and OPS. That’s the good news. The bad news? The A’s are dead last in baseball with a staff ERA of 7.88 (so unbelievable it should be spelled out: seven-point-eight-eight).
Add it all up and the Athletics are on a dreadful, historic pace that has not been seen since the 1800s. As the AP’s Josh Dubow pointed out Tuesday after the A’s lost 12-8 to the Baltimore Orioles, they have now been outscored by 53 runs through 11 games.
Orioles slugger Ryan Mountcastle had nine RBIs, including a grand slam, to power the O’s.
Ryan Mountcastle grand slam to give him NINE RBI on the night! ⚾️💣💣🏔🏰 pic.twitter.com/FUKHnSg9g2
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 12, 2023
Oakland’s 53-run deficit through 11 games is the worst for any team wince 1899, when the old Washington Nationals and Cleveland Spiders had deficits of -57 and -53 respectively.
The A’s have been outscored by 53 runs thru 11 games. That’s the worst mark thru 11 games since 1899 (Washington Nationals -57 and Cleveland Spiders -53). Those franchises didn’t exist after that season
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) April 12, 2023
Both the Nationals and Spiders folded after that horrendous 1899 season. That’s not an option for the Athletics, although judging by the reaction of many of their fans on Twitter after the team’s latest loss, they wouldn’t care.
While some pointed out manager Mark Kotsay has made some miscues, most pointed out he has a bare cupboard. This is a team that has been trying for years to get a new stadium, and routinely ranks near the bottom in MLB payrolls. As one Twitter user noted, “Mark Kotsay deserves better. He’s a pros pro. I feel so bad he has to fill up a lineup card filled with the dudes he does. No offense to those guys but I think even they know. It’s a joke what the A’s have become.”
Mark Kotsay deserves better. He’s a pros pro. I feel so bad he has to fill up a lineup card filled with the dudes he does. No offense to those guys but I think even they know. It’s a joke what the A’s have become. And there’s absolutely no pressure coming Fishers way
— Baja Blasted (@Ovenroasted30) April 12, 2023
You know you’re down bad when you’re getting compared to spiders and Cleveland Ohio
— Raider Joe 🏴☠️ (@RaiderJoeLV) April 12, 2023
You guys suck. Pathetic excuse for a MLB franchise. Coming from an A’s fan, sell the team and get out already. Sickening
— Thomas Luna (@lunatommy) April 12, 2023
Some fans saw this coming. Here’s one prediction from January that comes off looking like MLB Nostradamus-level stuff.
Are The Oakland Athletics Set to be HISTORICALLY BAD in 2023? | MLB Offseason Review @IBWAA https://t.co/Kc4OT02Ia9 pic.twitter.com/dbuOdaY1E6
— SlasherSports (@SlasherSports) January 30, 2023
