What do you make of the first half?

[Zito75]

Hi all,

I just wanted to gather some thoughts/ views on the first half.

One thing I found intriguing was the fact that were in First (or tied for it) until the break... Without Harden and a few other key guys... (Chavez, Bradley and Thomas all missed time) My last thought- what a roller coaster year!

What do you think of the first half?

[Bucketfoot Al]

With all the injuries, lack of hitting, inconsistent relief pitching, etc., the Athletics are very fortunate to be in 1st Place. It is the starting pitching that has carried us. Barry Zito truely is the All Star of the 1st half of the season and Nick Swisher has been the only consistent hitter. I'm sorry to see Johnson go down to the minors. We need Mark Ellis, Crosby and Chavez to pick it up in the second half.

With the hitters the Rangers have, it seems they are giving us every opportunity to hang even with them. They should be way out in front. If we don't get more hitting, I see the Rangers pulling away. I hope I'm wrong.

[mlazar]

With all the injuries, lack of hitting, inconsistent relief pitching, etc., the Athletics are very fortunate to be in 1st Place. It is the starting pitching that has carried us. Barry Zito truely is the All Star of the 1st half of the season and Nick Swisher has been the only consistent hitter. I'm sorry to see Johnson go down to the minors. We need Mark Ellis, Crosby and Chavez to pick it up in the second half.

With the hitters the Rangers have, it seems they are giving us every opportunity to hang even with them. They should be way out in front. If we don't get more hitting, I see the Rangers pulling away. I hope I'm wrong.

I agree we are fortunate to be in first place, I believe the Angels are the team that will make a big push in the second half...they have a fine pitching staff and if they pick up a hitter to go along with Vlad they will be right there...., the A's players MUST start hitting the ball like they are capable of.... I think Dan Haren was our first half All-Star with Swisher impressing me more and more every day..he makes the games fun to watch....Frank Thomas has been a plus also in the line-up ,for fear factor alone....

ps: nice win in Beantown last night to start the road trip....:clapping

[MY.RANGERS]

It looks to me the A's will only get better in the second half. not to bad of a first. I think it will be a fun race. it will be fun.
if we ain't careful the angels could pass us both down the stretch. :noidea

Anyhow I look forward to seeing the rangers and A's go at it. good luck.

[Zito75]

Well Ellis had a good game last night... When he's on, he can really get the offense jump started.

What's up with Crosby? He hasn't homered in 5 weeks and is barely hitting .200 in the same span...

[mlazar]

Milton Bradley too :clapping .... Crosby has been a major disappointment since winning the ROY....injury prone and very inconsistent....:noidea hopefully he can keep playing solid defense and our other bats will make up for up...