M's inconsistency to be expected

You watch the team lose Thursday 1-0 against Tampa on a balk. You watch the team lose Friday night, and swear this team is going no where... you can't possibly sit through another game.

Then they win two in a row, and you suddenly realize they've won back-to-back series, and just maybe this team is actually getting better.

Sound familiar?

It's exactly what .500 teams do. They look terrible one minute, and then tease you with solid play. They feature moments where they put it all together, and then back it up with games you swear were pulled right from the movie Major League.

This team IS getting better. It's hard to tell at times, because they have to sprinkle in 81 losses in the schedule, but there is reason to be optimistic.

Lopez is showing glimpses of being a young Boone. Betancourt will make us forget about giving away Carlos Guillen. Sexson will get his swing back. Beltre is playing better.

Don't give up on this team. The AL West is weak, and the M's have solid enough pitching to keep it near .500 all year.

There will be plenty of ups and downs, but this team will end up near 80 wins.

It's taking $90 million to do it, but this team is worth watching.

About half the time.

And that's an improvement.