Brandon McCarthy’s Interview with Swingin’ A’s

One bright spot in what’s become a long 2011 season for Oakland A’s fans has been the reemergence of starter Brandon McCarthy.  Beginning the year fighting for a spot in the A’s rotation, McCarthy has become one of Oakland’s best pitchers.

After missing the entire 2010 season due to injury, McCarthy was granted his free agency by the Texas Rangers.  A month later, McCarthy was picked up as a reclamation project of sorts by the A’s.  The $1 million Oakland invested in McCarthy looks more and more like a steal each time the right-hander makes a trip to the mound.

On the year, McCarthy has started 24 games for the A’s while maintaining an ERA and WHIP of 3.26 and 1.137.  Over his 162.2 innings of work, McCarthy has struck out 117 batters while only offering 25 free passes, giving him a better K/BB ratio than Clayton Kershaw or Justin Verlander.

McCarthy’s recorded his most starts since 2007, and his inning’s total is well beyond his previous career high of 101.2.

What’s been behind this awesome turn around?

McCarthy was kind enough to sit down with Swingin’ A’s to try and answer that question and others.