Entering the season, the 2019 Athletics looked very similar to the 2018 team. The offense, defense and bullpen all figured to be very good, if not elite. The starting rotation was supposed to be the team’s only question mark.
So far, the rotation has been just as inconsistent as we all expected. But the bullpen has disappointed. The relievers were fully responsible for 5 of the A’s first 10 losses, and at least partially responsible for a few others. And the struggles haven’t been isolated — almost every arm in the A’s ‘pen has contributed in some way.