The promising new and/or young players have so far delivered upon their, uh, promise: Nick Swisher hit two home runs against the Orioles on Wednesday, Danny Haren struck out six in six innings on Thursday, Huston Street got his first major league strikeout against Sammy Sosa, and the bullpen has been excellent. While we wait for Bobby Crosby to return from the disabled list, we get to watch Marco Scutaro, and we also get to speak and write his name, which is fun. And while we wait for Barry Zito (0-2, 11.57) to return to form, we note that the other 11 A's pitchers -- the same 11 pitchers who were the object of so much off-season skepticism -- have allowed 5 runs in 44 ⅔ innings.

SFist Jake, contributing.