The A's are starting this series against the Cleveland Guardians in first place in the AL West, which isn't necessarily a surprise in itself, but it's how they've gotten there that has drawn attention . It's not just the A's bats, although there has been some timely hitting and breakout performances — it's their pitching staff that is ranked 17th in ERA that is the surprising feature for this club. The A's (17-14) have won three series in a row, while the Guardians (16-16) have dropped three series straight. The weather in Sacramento is expected to be in the mid-70's and cloudy for the second two games, while Friday's game will start off around that same temperature, and then dip into the 60's as the game progresses. Playing in Sacramento, a game's outcome can hinge on the weather patterns for the night, so it will be worth keeping an eye on which way the wind is blowing at game time the next three days.…