The A's scored the first runs of '17 off James Paxton before Trevor Plouffe's blast secured a 9-6 win over Seattle. Bob Melvin and Trevor Plouffe react to the win.

Jesse Hahn fanned four in six innings, and Khris Davis, Chad Pinder and Yonder Alonso added homers in the 9-1 win over Texas.

A's manager Bob Melvin discusses Andrew Triggs' great start to the season and how is not surprised by his performance thus far, Adam Rosales' homer and how it gave the team momentum, not letting up a single walk, Yonder Alonso's defensive miscue, Ryon Healy's pinch hit and improving plate vision of late and the decision whether to use Ryan Madson or Santiago Casilla in the 9th

Bob Melvin discusses the Athletics' lopsided 7-0 loss to the Rangers.

4/15/17: Despite being no-hit through six innings, the Astros' offense surged for eight runs in the final three innings to win 10-6. A.J. Hinch and Carlos Correa discuss the shortstop's hand injury, Josh Reddick share his thoughts on playing first base and Lance McCullers Jr. discusses his outing.

Kendall Graveman did what he could but the A's bullpen could not contain Houston's hot bats, resulting in a 7-2 loss. Bob Melvin breaks down Graveman's pitching performance in the tough loss.

Rajai Davis and Jesse Hahn did what they could, but it was not enough the keep the Royals from taking the game with a 2-1 win.

The A's offense comes up big, giving Oakland an 8-3 win over the Royals. Bob Melvin breaks down Andrew Triggs' pitching performance.

Starter Jharel Cotton shuts down the Royals' bats, Khris Davis continues to power the offense and the A's hand the Royals an Opening Day loss.

Kendall Graveman brings no-hit stuff into the 7th, leading the A's to the 6-1 victory over the Rangers. Bob Melvin and Graveman himself break down the pitcher's no-hit bid in the win.

Manaea strikes out 10, but A's fall in finale

The A's collect five runs but it's not enough as Nomar Mazara powers the Rangers to the win.

Ryon Healy hit a two-run homer and Andrew Triggs delivered a solid outing to help lift the Athletics, 5-1, over the Angels. A's skipper Bob Melvin discusses Andrew Triggs' outing and the implications of his squad winning the series finale.

The A's take a tough shutout loss against the Angels. Bob Melvin discusses rookie Jharel Cotten's tough first start of the season.

4/4/17: The A's lose a tough one to the Angels, relinquishing a lead late on a devastating homer by Danny Espinosa. Manager Bob Melvin talks about the disappointing loss.

4/3/17: The A's celebrate the opening of Rickey Henderson field, taking Opening Day from the Angels. Plus, manager Bob Melvin talks about Khris Davis' two big homers

Keith Lieppman returns to Taking Effect for his annual interview with Ken about the Oakland A's player development system. Keith discusses his relationships throughout the A's that have kept him with the club for 47 years.

After a tough spring, the Athletics have settled on a rotation of Kendall Graveman, Sean Manaea, Jharel Cotton, Andrew Triggs and Raul Alcantara. MLB.com's Alyson Footer and Athletics reporter Jane Lee break down the rotation and why they were picked to start the season. Jane Lee also caught up with manager Bob Melvin to discuss what the strengths of the team are and they head into the 2017 season.

David Forst returns! More than a year since his first appearance on Taking Effect, the A's general manager visits with Ken to talk about the upcoming season, who gets credit for the rise of Ryon Healy, and memories of Bill King.

Kendall Graveman will be the Opening Day starter for Oakland. MLB.com's Alyson Footer and Athletics reporter Jane Lee discuss why Graveman was Bob Melvin's choice to start the first game and they give an update on the health status of Sonny Gray.

Chip Hale returns to the Athletics this season after two seasons managing the D-backs. Hale brings his energy and enthusiasm back to Oakland, and to the podcast, where he discusses growing up in the Bay Area, attending A's games as a youngster and the great group of established veterans and youthful talent the A's have at Spring Training.

Sonny Gray is going to miss the start of the season because of a lat strain injury. MLB.com's Alyson Footer and Athletics reporter Jane Lee break down Gray's injury timeline and who could replace his as the leader of the starting rotation.

Should Oakland fans be concerned that Sonny Gray gave up seven runs over two innings in his last start? MLB.com's Alyson Footer and Athletics reporter Jane Lee discuss why the team is not ready to panic just yet after Gray's latest start and how impressive prospect Matt Chapman has been in camp so far.

One of the Athletics key additions, Santiago Casilla, still has not reported to Spring Training with the team yet. MLB.com's Alyson Footer and Athletics reporter Jane Lee discuss why Casilla has not been able to enter the country yet to join his teammates and why Sonny Gray will not be allowed to pitch in the 2017 WBC.

Oakland is expecting some heavy production out of their outfielders this season. Athletics reporter Jane Lee breaks down how Rajai Davis, Khris Davis and Matt Joyce should be able to put up some big numbers in 2017 and the options that have at their disposal to start in the rotation.