Oakland Athletics: What a Difference a Week Makes

One week ago today, the A's were riding high—well, at least higher than they are today.

They had just come off a 5-2 week, and looked to build momentum in the upcoming series against the Yankees and Red Sox.

Fast forward to today, where the A's are in serious trouble. Six straight losses to the Yanks and Sox have plunged the A's into last place—seven games behind the surging Texas Rangers.

It appears as if the starting pitching, which has kept the A's afloat so long, has finally begun to regress to the mean. All of the starters have struggled over the past week and look downright average against the big market, big offense teams.

Obviously the A's pitching is better than it showed over the last week. But against likely playoff teams, it does not bode if (a big if) the A's are able to make the playoffs this year.

The offense actually sort of started hitting, but never enough to give the A's a win on an off pitching day. Josh Willingham has been the most consistent player all season, but was out Sunday due to an Achilles discomfort. Regardless, its clear the A's offense is not potent enough to put them over the top for the remainder of the season.

This is a critical point where the A's really need to decide what they want to do with the remainder of the season. Seven games is not an insurmountable hill to climb, but something must be done to give the A's a chance to contend.

The Moneyball film, due out in September, probably won't sell as well if the A's have already closed up shop and are looking forward to 2012, even if it is the most prudent option.

These next two weeks are crucial, not to the season necessarily, but probably to the franchise in general. Each year since 2006 there is cautious optimism that seems to degrade to a "wait til next year" stance.

It's been five years and players and fans alike are likely fed up with "next year" and beginning to wonder if that year will ever come.

By the way, the A's have games against the Orioles and White Sox this week. A bad outcome will certainly spell doom for the 2011 season.

Billy Beane and his brain trust must start banging their heads against the wall to come up with a short term and long term solution to the A's woes. Athletics nation is growing restless and will begin to call for someone's head if something isn't done, and fast.