As the A’s inch toward September, entrenched in last place in the American League West, they occasionally peer toward 2018.
And when manager Bob Melvin contemplates next year’s rotation, he strikes a balance between optimism and uncertainty. Oakland starting pitchers have been maddeningly inconsistent this season — sometimes good, but also eminently hittable at times.
The A’s are counting on Jharel Cotton, who held the Rangers to one earned run and struck out nine over six innings Sunday, to fulfill the abundant promise he showed in five starts last year, after he was acquired from the Dodgers.