What comes next? A's postseason FAQ
Let’s take a look at some postseason-related questions surrounding the A’s after the club clinched its first American League West title since 2013 by virtue of the Astros’ loss to the Mariners on Monday night.
What could the postseason roster look like?
SP: Sean Manaea, Chris Bassitt, Jesús Luzardo, Frankie Montas, Mike Fiers, Mike Minor
RP: Liam Hendriks, Joakim Soria, Jake Diekman, Yusmeiro Petit, Lou Trivino, J.B. Wendelken, T.J. McFarland, Jordan Weems
C: Sean Murphy, Jonah Heim
1B: Matt Olson
2B: Tommy La Stella, Tony Kemp
SS: Marcus Semien
3B: Jake Lamb, Chad Pinder, Vimael Machín
LF: Robbie Grossman
CF: Ramón Laureano
RF: Mark Canha, Stephen Piscotty
DH: Khris Davis
Could this roster change?
The health of some players will be taken into account. Pinder is likely out for the remainder of the regular season with a right hamstring strain, though the A’s are targeting his return for the postseason. Piscotty has also been dealing with a chronic knee injury that has forced him out of the lineup on a few occasions this month.
Will they go with a five-man rotation?
The A’s will have a tough decision to make as far as how they line up their rotation for the postseason. Manaea has been on quite a roll over the past month and is the likely candidate to pitch the first game, with Bassitt and Luzardo having good chances to follow. Montas has struggled as of late, though the A’s could still slot the Opening Day starter in for one of the first three games of the postseason if he finishes the regular season strong. Minor is listed among the starters as of now, though he could easily be moved to the bullpen. It would likely come down to Minor or Fiers for the fifth spot.
What’s next?
The A’s remain in contention for the No. 1 seed, which would give them a first-round matchup with the No. 8 seed. As of Tuesday night, Oakland holds the No. 3 seed, trailing top-seeded Tampa Bay by two games and No. 2 Chicago by a half-game.
What is the Wild Card round schedule? Where will it be played?
Game 1 is set for Tuesday, Sept. 29, with Game 2 and (if necessary) Game 3 on Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Thursday, Oct. 1. Winning the division ensures the A's one of the top three seeds in the AL, meaning Oakland will host all three games at the Coliseum.
Who could the A's play in the first round?
The A’s have clinched a top-three seed and home-field advantage for the Wild Card Series in the opening round of the postseason, setting up possible matchups against the Astros, Indians or Blue Jays.
Oakland currently holds the No. 3 seed, which would pair them with a division rival in the Astros, currently No. 6. The A’s won the season series against Houston, 7-3, though the Astros were dealing with injuries throughout their games against Oakland and are expected to have their lineup at full strength for the playoffs. Houston would likely give the ball to longtime A’s terror Zack Greinke, who holds a career 2.92 ERA in 21 games (17 starts) against them.
Who are possible breakout candidates?
For the A’s to get deep in the playoffs, they’ll to need find a way to score runs early, which has been a problem for them in the AL Wild Card Game the past two seasons. However, La Stella and Lamb were not around for those games, and those two have shown an impressive ability to get on base and make things happen since joining the A’s late this season -- La Stella acquired on Aug. 28 in a trade with the Angels and Lamb signed on Sept. 14 after he was designated for assignment by the D-backs. La Stella’s presence at the top of the order could set the table for Oakland’s power hitters, like Olson and Canha.