A’s seek to close gap in AL West

By Bud L. Ellis

The Oakland Athletics spent the offseason looking to make up the difference between a second-place finish in the AL West and the defending American League champions.

The A’s were that second-place team last season, going 81-81 in a respectable season. Nine games in front of them were the Texas Rangers, winners of the division who went on to capture their first pennant and play in the World Series.

It has been 21 years since Oakland graced baseball’s grandest stage. And, while not many people are pegging the A’s for late-October glory this season, there is reason to think this year’s team is better. The A’s were active in the offseason, bolstering their power with the likes of Hideki Matsui and Josh Willingham.

Oakland’s pitching looks to be strong. Right-hander Trevor Cahill will get the nod on opening day. Brett Anderson, Gio Gonzalez and Dallas Braden, who fired a perfect game last season, will round out the top four.

Oakland opens its season at home against Seattle on April 1. After that initial three-game series, the A’s hit the road for a nine-game road trip to Toronto, Minnesota and Chicago.

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Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 8:14 pm by bud

Tags: Brett Anderson, Chicago White Sox, Dallas Braden, Gio Gonzalez, Hideki Matsui, Josh Willingham, Major League Baseball, Minnesota Twins, Oakland A’s news, Oakland A’s schedule, Oakland A’s tickets, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Trevor Cahill