Fading Oakland A’s at the midway point: What to expect in the second half

The concourses were buzzing Sunday, with Athletics fans eagerly putting on their giveaway jerseys commemorating a World Series championship 50 years ago against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

There was spectacular sunshine and a cheerfulness and excitement in the crowd of 18,491 that was welcome but at the same time out of place. A handful of the 1974 A’s were saluted, then the current version struck out 16 times against Pablo Torres and Griffin Jax in a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

That...