The numbers are staggering. Seventeen straight home wins. Victories in 29 of their last 33 games.
The second-best second half ever.
No matter how you dissect the A’s, you come up with the same conclusion: this may be the most formidable team the Yankees have faced since their postseason run began in 1995.
“They’re the hottest team in baseball,” Yankee manager Joe Torre said yesterday.
The three-time defending World Series champs start the ALDS with Oakland Wednesday night, and preparations are well under way to unearth weaknesses and counteract strengths.
The A’s, who finished with a 102-60 record and a six-game win streak, are much improved from the club that took the Yanks to the brink in last year’s ALDS. And Gil Heredia won’t be starting Game 1 and Game 5 this year.
Jermaine Dye drove in 59 runs in 61 games since getting dealt from Kansas City on July 25. Fellow newcomer Johnny Damon (.324 on-base percentage, 27 steals in 39 attempts) has been a disappointment in comparison, but is a potentially lethal leadoff hitter.
For the first time in history, a team’s shortstop and third baseman have slugged 30 homers in the same season. Eric Chavez set club records at third with 32 homers and 114 RBIs. Shortstop Miguel Tejada played all 162 games and hit 31 homers with 113 RBIs.
And don’t forget reigning MVP Jason Giambi (.342, 38 HRs, 120 RBIs).
“They have by far [offensive] numbers that exceed our numbers,” Torre said. “They have three guys who have hit 30 home runs and knocked in 100 runs.
“That’s tough to beat.”
The heart of the club is pitching, however. Mark Mulder (21-8, 3.45) may have snatched the Cy Young from Roger Clemens with a torrid finish. Game 2 starter Tim Hudson (18-9, 3.37) has been almost as good.
Barry Zito (17-8, 3.45), who pitches Game 3 in Oakland on Saturday, has won his last nine starts. Cory Lidle (13-6, 3.59), considered the weak link of the rotation, has won his last five starts and is 9-1 since July 31.
“They’ve definitely matured quickly,” Yankee first baseman Tino Martinez said last week. “You knew Hudson had great stuff, and Zito last year.
“I think Mulder has been the most impressive, because he was struggling to find himself. He finally realized how good his stuff is, and this year he absolutely went out and pitched well. I think he’s the key to the team.”
The A’s became the only team ever to reach the postseason after falling 10 games below .500 (they were 8-18 on May 1). Their 58-17 second half, a .773 winning percentage, is bested only by the 1954 Indians’ 55-16 finish. They haven’t lost at home since Aug. 24.