Most of America outside of 713 area code and greater Houston area will be rooting for the Oakland Athletics in this week’s competitive American League Divisional Series.
Fresh in the mind of the baseball community is a cheating scandal that embroiled the Astros in controversy and led to the firing of manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow prior to spring training. Now, with former Dodgers outfielder and veteran manager Dusty Baker leading the squad, the Astros look to remain dominant and show off their talent against the Moneyball Athletics, who are seeking a level greater than post-season mediocrity.
Here are three keys to each club’s success and ability to reach the championship series.
Three Keys to Victory for the Astros
McCullers and Valdez continued success
Zack Greinke will get his starts and the Astros will hope they get the best of their veteran ace. Framber Valdez has also been key to keeping the Astros in playoff contention throughout the season and the team will rely on his solid starts to get the Astros to the next series. Lance McCullers Jr. was a shot-in-the-arm for the Astros when he returned from his injury this season and could be the ace of the staff if Houston continues to advance this postseason. Jose Urquidy also stepped up with a strong postseason performance in 2019 and he, along with rookie Cristian Javier, will be counted on for crucial innings in this ALDS.
Astros need more than Springer
George Springer and Michael Brantley have been the only consistent offensive production that remain from the Astros’ once-champion line-up this season. Houston will need Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Yuli Gurriel to step up in the division series to get the Astros to the next round. Kyle Tucker stepped up early this season but struggled down the stretch. The Astros’ bench is not one of depth and reliable performers this season, making the Houston starting line-up the required source of offensive punch in October.
Get on the board early and hold the lead
The Athletics’ bullpen is as strong as they come in the American League and Oakland’s vulnerability lies in their consistent starting rotation performance. Houston must get runs early and force Bob Melvin to use his relief pitching corps early throughout this series. The second piece of this equation is the Houston Astros’ bullpen. The inexperienced group of Blake Taylor, Enoli Paredes, Andre Scrubb, Brooks Raley, and Cy Sneed will be counted on keep the Astros’ leads in tack between the starters and closer Ryan Pressly. Swingman Josh James could be a secret weapon in this department if he can harness the control of his pitches he has lacked in 2020.
Three Keys to Victory for the Athletics
The under-estimated regulars
Marcus Semien, Matt Olson, Khris Davis, and the injured Matt Chapman are the usual offensive threats when facing the Athletics but their bats have been cold in recent weeks. A successful Oakland series outcome will largely depend on their awakening or the other lesser-known threats in the A’s lineup. Second baseman Tommy La Stella, outfielder Mark Canha, super-utility man Chad Pinder, and recent Chapman replacement Jake Lamb will be required to pick up where the star players are likely to let down any given game. La Stella and Canha have been two of the Athletics’ hottest hands going into the postseason and will play a vital role in the club’s ability to advance.
Hendriks and company
The Athletics arguably have the strongest bullpen of the remaining clubs in the playoffs. Liam Hendriks will be needed in the ninth inning of multiple games, making it essential for Joakim Soria, J.B. Wendelken, Yusmeiro Petit, Jake Diekman, and others to cover the innings between starter and eighth inning. The Athletics faced late-inning drama in the elimination game against Chicago in the Wild Card series after Bob Melvin went to Hendricks in the eighth inning. Hendricks is as reliable as they come for the final three outs of a ballgame. The rest of the bullpen needs to do their part to make sure that’s the regular expectation in the division series.
The rotation behind Bassitt
Chris Bassitt has been the ace of the 2020 Athletics rotation and is expected to get the ball in multiple contests if the series lasts all five games. Consistency from the remainder of starters has been a challenge and Oakland will need Mike Fiers, Sean Manaea, Mike Minor, Frankie Montas, and rookie Jesus Luzardo to give the Athletics’ bullpen some innings of run-preventing baseball. Luzardo has been outstanding at times and can serve as a weapon in the rotation or bullpen in the ALDS. Mike Minor has struggled a year removed from his 2019 All-Star campaign but has shown glimpses of old self since being acquired by the Athletics at the deadline. Both Luzardo and Minor could be keys to the Athletics’ chances of advancing to the championship series.
Analysis
Oakland commanded the season series by winning seven of the 10 head-to-head games between these two clubs. The Athletics outscored the Astros, 38-25, during their 10 regular seasons games. Nevertheless, the Astros seem poised to prove their 2017 World Series title was not a result of the cheating scandal that rocked their offseason. Oakland has not reached an American League championship series since its lone appearance during the Moneyball era in 2006. The Astros, on the other hand, have made it to the ALCS in each of the past three years.
Prediction
The Astros’ starting pitching will outduel the Athletics as the former’s dormant offense will awaken from their slumber and take the series to a decisive fifth game in Los Angeles. The Astros will win the series in large part to strong pitching from their young, inexperienced pitching staff and timely hitting by veteran sluggers.
Astros 3, Athletics 2
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