Technically, the Oakland A's are still chasing the Texas Rangers for the AL West title.Realistically, though, the signs point toward the A's having to earn their first postseason berth in six years via a wild-card berth. They entered their Thursday matinee against the Rangers in Arlington with a three-game deficit in the division, and that's a pretty big deficit to make up in less than a week.And since they're currently losing to the Rangers as I'm sitting here writing this, their deficit could be an even more insurmountable four games heading into the weekend.The A's would no doubt prefer to ...
As Oakland Athletics designated hitter Chris Carter stepped up to the plate against Texas Rangers pitcher Roy Oswalt Wednesday night, he had no idea he would be making history for his franchise.Following a 1-2 count, Carter whiffed on the 91 MPH fastball that Oswalt blew by him. As the batter walked back to the dugout, his strikeout officially marked an American League high and low, depending how you look at it.The Athletics now hold the record for the most strikeouts in one season in the American League. With that one pitch, the team reached No. 1,325 on the season. The ...
First things first: I am keenly aware that nothing is for certain here. Nothing has been settled for Oakland in terms of the postseason, so I know fully that I may end up falling on the sword if they happen to miss the playoffs.Disclaimer stated, the truth is, I just don't see that happening. Two more road games before six at home to end the season leaves the A's in a good position to get into the 2012 postseason.In addition to that, the AL West-leading Texas Rangers and Wild Card-chasing Los Angeles Angels have to play each other three times ...
Being a fan of the Oakland Athletics is dangerous for your health.If the past few games are any indication, they either win by one run or lose by one run. They either hang on in extra innings or walk off the field dejected that a close one got away.The September 25th game in Arlington against the Texas Rangers was their fifth straight one-run game. This was another extra inning affair, their third in the past five contests.And this time, it was catcher George Kottaras being the hero. He launched a 10th-inning upper deck shot off of Rangers reliever Mark Lowe ...
So far, the A's have taken a few bumps on their 10-game road gauntlet, but having gone 2-4 thus far, remain firmly in the playoff hunt. Now, the road takes them to Texas for a four-game series against the first-place Rangers. A series win, and the AL West could very well come down to a three-game season finale in Oakland. But a series loss could see the A's not only eliminated from the division race, but have the Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays breathing down their necks for a wild-card position as well. Needless to say, these four loom ...
Brett Anderson may just be one player on the Oakland Athletics roster, but his recent injury will prove to be the straw that breaks the camel's back. In this case, that camel is Oakland's playoff hopes.Anderson left his Sept. 19 start with a side oblique strain. The next day, it was reported that the starting pitcher—a key cog in the rotation—will miss the rest of the regular season.Still, he's hopeful for his teammates.According to Jane Lee of MLB.com, Anderson told reporters:It's an unfortunate situation. But this team has handled adversity all year and have been able to overcome it and ...
The Oakland Athletics could have sent a message throughout baseball. They could have won two games against the Yankees in the Bronx. It could have solidified their postseason position and shown the world that they are indeed an elite team.And the A's could have crept to within two games of first-place Texas.Instead, they lost both games. And they lost them in two ways that had one thing in common: Total agony.At this point in the season, theoretically, a win is a win and a loss is a loss. It is better to win ugly than lose with a moral victory.But ...
Update: September 20th at 6:35 p.m. ET.New surrounding Brett Anderson's injury just went from bad to worse, as Joe Stiglich of the Mercury News reports that the A's pitcher is out for the remainder of the season.Injured left-hander Brett Anderson will miss the rest of the regular season, A's manager Bob Melvin said following Thursday's 12-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers.Anderson's right oblique strain is obviously a setback that couldn't come at a worse time for the A's.---End of Update---The Oakland Athletics' magical run to the top of the American League wild-card standings took a hit on Wednesday ...
Through six free agent signings, seven trades, two waiver wire pickups and one outright contract purchase, Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane once again proved his wizardry by putting together a team that defied expectations of being 20 games back in the AL West. Instead, the second-place A's are just 3.5 games behind the AL West-leading Texas Rangers. Oakland holds a one-game lead in the wild-card standings as well. The team wasn't supposed to be here. Beane's annual trades of talented favorites to build for next year drives many fans crazy (not to mention, into tears). Of course, 2012 has been different. ...
With 16 games left in the regular season, nothing is for certain in baseball. Although we are pretty sure who's going to be invited to the Octoberfest known as MLB's postseason—there is still some room for movement. That said, even as a few games essentially shake out the match-ups and home field advantage for the playoffs, it is safe to say bets are being lined up for who may survive the new postseason gauntlet.For me, the more I look, the more I begin to think that the best team in the American League is being chalked up as a dark horse ...