PT TOMORROW: AL West—Retreading water

Oakland Athletics

Not unpredictably, what projected as a sub-par rotation has struggled out of the gate with a few exceptions. Frankie Montas' (RHP, OAK) first three starts (3.18/3.43 ERA/xERA over 17 IP) hint that he may be slowly turning a development corner. Oft-injured Brett Anderson (LHP, OAK) has also been more than effective over his first four efforts (24 IP, 7 earned runs, 3 wins)—though a 5.3 Dom, 1.6 Cmd and 4.55 xERA and fragile history suggest that regression and shelf-time aren't far away. But early on it's been "frontliners" Mike Fiers (RHP, OAK) and Marco Estrada (RHP, OAK) whose performances are the most troubling.

After five starts, Fiers owns a 7.06 ERA (5.31 xERA) and isn't yet close to the anomalous 1.9 Ctl and 66%...

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