OAKLAND – Opening Day brings optimism for every team in Major League Baseball (with the exception of the Orioles). It's a fresh start and an opportunity to officially put last season in the rearview mirror.
Of course, in the A's case, they would like to repeat the magic of 2018, when they won 97 games and reached the postseason for the first time in four years. It won't be easy, as Oakland lost some key players from last year's squad -- veterans like Jed Lowrie, Jonathan Lucroy, and Trevor Cahill, who just happens to be starting against the A's on Opening Day.
Still, fans of the Green and Gold have four big reasons to believe that another postseason berth is in the cards:
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The A's have one of the most dangerous lineups in all of baseball. Khris Davis led the league in home runs last season with 48 and the 31-year-old shows no signs of slowing down.
Matt Chapman has quickly developed into one of the best young hitters in the game and he is still improving rapidly. Stephen Piscotty, Jurickson Profar, Marcus Semien, Chad Pinder, and Mark Canha all have serious power, and now Oakland has added Kendrys Morales to the fold. That doesn't even mention Matt Olson, who will return at some point from his hand injury.
2. Bullpen
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Last season, the A's went 70-2 when leading after seven innings. That was thanks, in large part, to their tremendous bullpen. The pen should be one of the best in the league once again this year.
Blake Treinen is arguably the best closer in all of baseball, while Lou Trivino, Joakim Soria, and Fernando Rodney give Bob Melvin three terrific late-inning options as setup men. There's not much of a drop-off in the rest of the bullpen, with J.B. Wendelken, Ryan Buchter, and Yusmeiro Petit all coming off strong seasons in 2018. Liam Hendriks has reinvented himself since the beginning of last year and provides outstanding versatility.
3. Second-half reinforcements
The A's enter the season a bit banged up, but help should be on the way for the stretch run. Starting pitchers Sean Manaea, Jharel Cotton, and A.J. Puk are all expected to return for the second half of the season, and 21-year-old top prospect Jesús Luzardo could be a factor as well.
While Oakland's starting rotation is probably the weak point of the team right now, it could be much improved by July or August. That will certainly help the A's make their playoff push.
[RELATED: Grading the A's Opening Day 25-man roster]
4. Bob Melvin
The reigning American League Manager of the Year always seems to push the right buttons. Bob Melvin has now won three Manager of the Year awards in his illustrious career and his players absolutely love playing for him.
Last season, Melvin guided Oakland through countless injuries to its starting rotation, keeping the clubhouse together and winning 97 games, the fourth-most of any team in MLB. As long as Bob Melvin is at the helm, A's fans should feel confident about their squad.