DEFENSE! DEFENSE!

The A’s appear on the precipice of another strong second half that might even surpass the surge that propelled them to a 63-30 finish in 2018 and garnered the second wild-card spot in the American League playoffs with a 97-65 record.

There are parts of the team that have been working better than 2018 and other parts that have been performing worse. But yet I read a report in the last day or two that noted both teams had posted identical 51-41 records.

These A’s of 2019, like 2018, are built on similar strengths, an offense built on a lot of home runs and extra-base hits. Surprisingly good pitching overall also has fueled both teams, despite that in both seasons there was a perception that Oakland’s starting rotation was/is its biggest weakness.

But my supposition is that the A’s front office may have planned it that way, building the teams around a strength that is given lip service but may still be undervalued: Defense.

In order to build a successful team within the A’s current but still long-standing financial constraints I suspect that Billy Beane, David Forst and staff set their sights on starting pitchers whose performances would be enhanced the most by strong defense.

The rotation as it is may still be a prime target for improvement in advance of the July 31 trade deadline, but here are the facts: The starters over the past 23 games are 13-4 with a 3.54 ERA. Overall, they rank second in the American League in wins (39) and third in slugging percentage. That puts them in the top 20 percentage in limiting extra-base hits and home runs. This despite ranking near the bottom in strikeouts.

The A’s acquiring veteran starting pitcher Homer Bailey from the Kansas City Royals on Sunday for AA shortstop prospect Kevin Merrill may fit well into this A’s framework. He’s 7-6 with a 4.80 ERA in 18 starts. Just try to keep ‘em in the ballpark, Homer, and let the defense do its work.

So how about that PREVENT DEFENSE. Here are some numbers:

Platinum glove Matt Chapman leads all major-league third basemen in total chances (288), putouts (105), ranks seconds in assists (176) and leads American League third basemen in fielding percentage (.976).

Shortstop Marcus Siemen may actually be even better. His overall defensive rating on Fangraphs was the highest of any position player, and his defensive runs saved were higher than Chapman’s the last time I checked. Semien, riding a 19-game errorless streak, leads AL shortstops in total chances (368) and assists (256) and is third in fielding percentage (.984).

And Semien is an ironman. Today will be his 176th consecutive start,

And there is center fielder Ramon Laureano. He leads all MLB outfielders in total chances (230) and putouts (219). Since his major-league debut last Aug. 3, Laureano has 16 offensive assists in less than a full season. That ties for the lead among major league outfielders since the start of the 2018 season, so I suspect he has far more than any outfielder since 8-3-2018.

He’s played in all but one of the A’s 94 games this season. He was sat that one game when he was struggling at the plate, but that hasn’t happened again.

Left fielder Robbie Grossman hasn’t committed an error in 72 games this season and has a 126-game errorless streak dating back to June 13, 2018.

And now a few kind words for Jurickson Profar. The former Texas Ranger is sitting right now while prospect Franklin Barreto is given an extended opportunity. Yes, Profar struggled defensively early in the season and, yes, leads all MLB second basemen in errors (10). But he also led MLB second basemen in putouts (158) as of a couple of days ago. Plus, he has committed just two E’s in his past 50 games at 2B.

Offensively, the A’s have cracked homers and extra-base hits, going deep now a season-high 14 straight games, and have hit two or more extra-base hits in 26 consecutive games.

But offense may just a be a complement. Let’s hear it, fans. DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE!