PT TOMORROW: AL West—Pitching questions everywhere

Oakland Athletics

With Santiago Casilla (RHP, OAK) picking up the team's first save on Opening Day, the potential closer committee suggested in this space a month ago already might be in full swing. Coming off a shaky spring (6 IP, 9 runs, 5/5 K/BB), Casilla's one-walk, no-K effort suggests that he's still trying to work some things out and isn't a sure bet to get the next ninth-inning opportunity. But after his shaky 2016 finish in SF, Monday night's outcome might have provided the confidence-booster OAK Mgr Bob Melvin intended. And despite a history of control volatility, Casilla's closer track record (88 saves over the previous three seasons, along with a career 3.20 ERA) and a big new contract (2 years/$11 million) suggest that...

Almost!

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