Life after an 80 game suspension for the star of your rotation is not a scenario you plan for. Why would you? It sounds bleak and gray and kinda ugly. Having to catch your balance after that kind of stumble is expected. No one would scold you. However, to pull out all your stops and go on a fantastic tear ... yeah, not so expected.
Since Montas’ suspension, the A’s have won 12 of their last 17 games, outscoring opposition 98-61. Once more, bad luck tried to get in the way of the A’s, and they fought back tooth and nail.