The A’s know their 242 strikeout count is a bit high. They know they trail only the Atlanta Braves (250), and Chicago Cubs (245) in the league. They know their 26.2 K% is not ideal, either. Neither is the 10 strikeout-per-game average they’re running up.
They see . . .
The A’s have a knack for leaving runners on base; they’re averaging 3.29 runners left in scoring position. Come a postseason series, the offense won’t be afforded multiple series to swing big through a slump or to clinch a must-win game.