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AL Wild Card Race 2019: Analyzing the 3-team race

By Joshua Sadlock

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 10: Austin Meadows #17 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates a two-run homerun in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 10, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 10: Austin Meadows #17 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates a two-run homerun in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 10, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 10: Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics lines out to center in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on September 10, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 10: Matt Chapman #26 of the Oakland Athletics lines out to center in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on September 10, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

2. Oakland Athletics (+0.5 games)

It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster ride for the Oakland A’s the past week. They were blown out by the Houston Astros 15-0 on Monday night but returned the favor and hung 21 on the ‘Stros on Tuesday. Oakland has played well over .600 ball for the past five months after a slow start to the season. Every surge they make, however, seems to be countered perfectly by Cleveland.

It’s clear the A’s want one of these playoff spots as they have called up top prospects A.J. Puk, Jesus Luzardo and Sean Murphy. All three are going to play a huge role in the final weeks of the season. Murphy has hit .357/.400/1.000 with three home runs and six RBI in his first six games in the big leagues. Puk has been solid in relief and will be joined by Luzardo.

After the A’s wrap up their final two games with Houston, they have an extremely kind schedule. Their final 15 games of the year are against Texas, Kansas City, Los Angeles and Seattle. If they cannot make it through those cratering teams with a .667 winning percentage then they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs in the first place.

Oakland has been relatively healthy all season and they have an influx of exciting young prospects to help give them the final push they need to hold onto their playoff spot. Getting Matt Chapman hot for the final stretch might be all it takes. The MVP candidate is hitting just .143/.368/.357 in September. His bat could be the difference-maker that delivers a Wild Card for the A’s.

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