Even though it is still early in the season, one way to judge the strength of the A’s and Giants is to speculate which players would be going to Milwaukee for the All Star game if the selections were made today.

When you think about the choices, it becomes easier to explain the success or lack thereof of both teams, over the first 32 games or so.

Let’s see.

The A’s are built on starting pitching.

Only Tim Hudson has pitched up to his expected potential. Other than being crushed by the White Sox last Saturday, Hudson has been exceptional, taking the ball in the toughest games, and getting the job done.

One vote for Hudson right now.

The rest of the best rotation in baseball would be watching the game on television, if the teams were chosen today.

Mark Mulder may pitch with tightness in his forearm this weekend. This is new territory for Mulder. He has never pitched with this kind of pain before and is reluctant to do so. He has been cleared medically, in baseball terms, this means, see you on the mound, even if you aren’t 100%.

Not an all star season for the lefty.

Barry Zito hasn’t shown any of the consistency he displayed during the last two months of 2001. Since he banked about 10 million yesterday with his new contract, maybe this will settle him down.

No all star trips for Mulder and Zito.

Closer Billy Koch has been everything the A’s have wished for and more. He has seven dominating saves, which would not go unnoticed by All Star manager, Joe Torre. Koch has given up 5 hits in 14.3 innings pitched with a 1.23 ERA.

Buy your ticket to Milwaukee, Billy.

Eric Chavez doesn’t have a chance of going to Wisconsin in July right now. Chavez’ fielding has been erratic at best, his slumps have been prolonged, and he has been injured. His home run totals are deceiving, he isn’t having an all star season yet, but this can change rapidly in his case.

Chavez can make it in July.

Miguel Tejada, close but no cigar. A Rod and Nomar nose the A’s shortstop out once again. However, Tejada has played under control and has been spectacular in the field.

Tejada is a close call as a 2002 all star, today.

That’s it folks.

Jeremy Giambi has been wonderful leading off, but not yet an all star. Everyone else on the offensive side is still trying to figure out what kind of a season they will have.

Hudson probably goes, Koch defintiely goes, and you can make a case for Tejada if you feel charitable.

Any wonder why the team is 17-15 and treading water. It will stay this way until they start playing more consistent baseball.

Without all star performances from the big three ( Hudson, Mulder, and Zito) and Eric Chavez, this pattern will continue.

The Giants present a similar picture.

Barry Bonds is the most dominating player in the game today and is carrying the Giants offense by himself right now.

He goes to Milwaukee without question. The NL sends a private jet for him.

Jeff Kent’s slow start (for him) .248, 5 homers, 16 RBI, keeps him home right now. JT Snow, Reggie Sanders, Rich Aurilia, Shinjo and all the rest of the Giants position players don’t have a hope of being chosen as all stars today.

Why are the Giants 20-11, the best record in the NL?

The Giants are where they are because of all star performances from Kirk Reuter, Livan Hernandez, Russ Ortiz, and Robb Nen.

The Giants thrive on big time starting pitching and they are coming through so far this year.

Nen has 9 saves, an ERA near 2.00, and an unhittable slider.

Reuter has only given up 30 hits in 41.3 innings worked with a 1.74 ERA. His 4-1 record is justified by his outstanding pitching.

Hernandez and Ortiz have pitched well enough in their seven starts to be seriouosly considered, right now, for the Dream Game in July.

The Giants are leading the NL West for three reasons.

1)Bonds,

2)their starting pitching,

3)their closer Nen.

The A’s currently lack the big offensive threat needed to carry them, consistency from the starting pitching, and overall quality contributions from the rest of the team.

When you look at the potential All Stars on each team it becomes very clear why the Giants are leading their division and the A’s are desperately trying to keep Seattle in their sights.

Baseball is a game of cycles. This analysis may be obsolete after the next thirty games, but if the All Star teams were chosen today, those are the local players heading to Milwaukee.

It’s pretty revealing, don’t you think?