The Oakland A's finally got win No. 1 of the 2016 MLB season, a trend they hope to continue as they march through the month of April. What were the biggest A's stories as spring training came to a close, and in their series versus the Chicago White Sox? Looking ahead, what should fans watch for as they meet the division rival Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels?
This is the A's weekly update.
Last Week
Oakland lost six of its last seven games in the desert, and the struggles continued against the San Francisco Giants in a Bay Bridge series weekend exhibition, as the A's dropped two of three. Outfielder Khris Davis helped the team salvage the series finale, going yard at the Coliseum for the first time in a 4-1 rout.
Against the White Sox to open the season, the A's dropped three out of four games, with their lone win coming in Sonny Gray's Game 3 start. Despite struggling with command to the tune of four walks in seven innings, Gray managed to hold the Sox to just one run in a 2-1 victory. The series brought back memories of a 2015 filled with close contests, as three of the four games were decided by one run. Former A's starter Dallas Braden -- the proud owner of one of the 23 perfect games in MLB history -- was in attendance for Gray's performance, as he joined the ESPN broadcast booth as an analyst.
What's Next?
The A's head to Seattle looking for better success in a three-game road set. It won't be easy, though, as they will face off with two of the Mariners' top starters in flamethrowing phenom Taijuan Walker and former AL Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez. Two A's starters will be making their Green and Gold debuts in the series, as former Giants prospect Erik Surkamp goes on Friday, followed by free-agent signing Rich Hill. Next week kicks off with a return home to face Mike Trout and the Angels, who also went 0-2 to start the season.
What They're Saying
Surkamp's final spring outing earns Friday start (CSN Bay Area)
A's minor league teams set Opening Day rosters (Athletics Nation)
Oakland Athletics: Will 2016 be a repeat of 2015? (FanSided)