Athletics vs. Royals: Can Jemile Weeks Keep Up His Hot Start?

The Oakland Athletics head home from a fairly disastrous road trip that included a 1-9 record and the firing of manager Bob Geren. Throw in the three game sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees and the A's are 1-12 over the last two weeks. It's safe to say things are not looking good as the Kansas City Royals come to town for three games. The A's are eight games out of first with limited signs of life at this point and need a strong homestand against the Royals and Giants to get back into the AL West race.

When I was watching the A's post-game show on CSN Bay Area, Fernando Vina and the main guy (can't find his name) were talking about how the A's were showing signs of life and the White Sox series was a positive step forward. I suppose winning a game in the series is a step forward given the losing streak leading up to it. However, while the team needed to shake things up and get rid of Bob Geren, Bob Melvin cannot suddenly make the Oakland A's offense hit.

What can make the team hit is fresh blood that might have a bit more talent than some of the options on display. Jemile Weeks has now played six straight games for the A's and put together a line of .333/.364/.571. I realize that the 21 at bats is too small a sample size to make huge conclusions. However, in his short time at the big league level, Weeks is displaying a comfort level that would seem to generate further confidence as he continues to get at bats.

In a perfect world for the A's, Weeks would continue hitting and force the A's to make a decision at second base, or the infield in general, when Mark Ellis comes off the DL. When an offense is performing as poorly as the A's is performing this season, change is necessary at some point. Right now, Jemile Weeks represents that change. I don't know what other answers are out there at this point. Maybe it's Michael Taylor, Chris Carter and Adrian Cardenas. I don't know, but given how the A's offense has performed otherwise, maybe more young talent could provide an additional spark.

In the meantime, the A's will look to get something going against the Royals.