PT TOMORROW: AL West—Check the fine print

Oakland Athletics

At the season's outset, the A's had an embarrassment of bullpen riches and plenty of ninth inning possibilities behind newly-acquired closer Jim Johnson (RHP, OAK). Flash forward to early June, and Johnson has been a massive disappointment, Ryan Cook has been on-and-off the DL, and while Luke Gregerson's numbers say he's pitched well, he's also has coughed up inherited leads five times in the early season. All of which has left  Sean Doolittle (LHP, OAK) as the last man standing and firmly in command of the closer role.

While LHPs seem to encounter discrimination with respect to full-time closing, and OAK isn't an organization that would seem reluctant to return to a bullpen by committee, don't expect Doolittle to lose...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From PT Tomorrow

Birdsong and Kim waiting on opportunities for SF and LA; OF PT in ARI; Rockies rookies; and impact of Cronenworth absence in SD
Apr 17 2025 3:05am
Liam Hendriks' impending return could shake up Boston's late-inning mix. Plus, Jonathan Aranda's platoon usage, potential call-ups, and more.
Apr 16 2025 3:05am
With Spencer Arrighetti out for six weeks, the Astros need a 5th starter to produce in the short term.
Apr 15 2025 3:01am
A hot MacKenzie Gore is leading a fair to middling effort by WAS starters to kick off 2025. Plus: SP in ATL; bullpen a PHI; 1B in MIA; more.
Apr 14 2025 3:06am

Tools