Mirror Images - A's & Giants

What have we learned so far? After 63 games from the A's and 60 from the Giants at post time, I think it is safe to say that we have a pretty good idea of what we're looking at from both teams. The Giants and A's are very much in contention in weak divisions so far with the Giants 2.5 games out and the A's 2 games out. What's also interesting about this season so far, is that in a lot of ways both teams are mirror images of each other.

Offensively:

• Both teams are hitting in the .260's as a team.
• Both teams have an awful Team OBP at .332 (SF) and .322 (OAK) respectively
• Both teams have paltry Team OPS at .737 (SF) and .706 (OAK) which is a big reason why both teams are averaging woeful runs/game averages at 4.23 (SF) and 4.05 (OAK).

Pitching :

• Both teams ERA's are outstanding with the Giants clocking in with 3.35, and the A's spotting a 3.98.
• Both teams WHIP is terrific as well. Giants Team WHIP 1.255 and A's Team WHIP 1.315
• The Giants are leading the National League in Strikeouts per Nine Innings at 7, while the A's main strength is control with a really low 3.3 Walks per Nine Innings.

So it appears that the A's and Giants have the same issue. They're both very strong in both starting pitching and bullpens, yet both are looking for a big bat in the lineup. The Giants have called up promising prospect Buster Posey, as well as taken a flyer on Pat Burrell to try and find an extra stick in the lineup. The A's are continuing to hope that the Jack Cust movie can still bring some runs in.

So far the results for both teams have been promising. The A's got 3 wins against the Giants a couple weeks ago, but the Giants have struck first in Game One of this weekends series. The way this season has gone...it wouldn't be too surprising if the Giants won the next two...