Category: MLB

MLB The Show Division Series podcast with Morris Phillips: A look at the NL and AL Division Series the Neutral site playoffs

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The San Diego Padres stop for a team photo following their win against the St Louis Cardinals from Oct 2 Wild Card Series  to advance to the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers (AP News photo)

On the MLB The Show podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris there are four sets of Division Playoffs lets take one at a time starting with the NLDS and the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers you’ve had a chance to see both these clubs during the regular season. Talk about who you like in this series and this should be big one for all those baseball fans in the Southland watching this game being played in Texas game 1 is on Tuesday. At Globelife Park in Arlington.

#2 The Miami Marlins were one team no one expected to get this far they had a covid outbreak that resulted in nearly half the team infected and out and quarantined for two weeks. The Marlins had to bring in call ups, minor leaguers, free agents, and whoever was available. Once that was done that group was able to hold the Marlins together until the regulars could come back plus Marlins manager Don Mattingly has been named a candidate for manager of the year. In Minute Maid Field in Houston.

#3 Two of the toughest teams in the American League the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees both teams were having it out for division winner. The Yankees spent much of the 60 game schedule trying to scratch off games on the Rays and finished seven games back. The Rays have been getting it all the hitting, pitching and getting help from such big hitters Yandy Diaz .307 and Mike Brosseau .302. In Petco Park in San Diego.

#4 The Houston Astros and Oakland A’s go at it today at Dodger Stadium for the first in the best of five. The Astros and A’s will be famously remembered for the benches emptying brawl when the A’s Ramon Luareano and Astros coach Alex Cintron exchanged words which led to the scuffle. Will there be bad blood and a round two with these two clubs?

Morris does commentary on the MLB Playoffs for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Broadcasting Road games from TV screen is nothing New

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Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Charlie Steiner is one of many MLB broadcasters who are doing games virtual from his own living room as no broadcasters will be traveling for the Division Series because of Cornonavirus (file photo from LA Times)

Broadcasting Road games from TV screen is nothing New

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Baseball broadcasters this year are not traveling, because of Covid-19 restrictions by Major League Baseball. So, they are calling the games from Television monitors at their home park, while their teams are on the road. In some cases, some broadcasters like LA Dodgers play by play man Charlie Steiner are doing the games (when Dodgers are on the road) from his living room.

As unusual as that might seem, I have done that for many years, depends on the teams philosophy and how they market their product into the community. As a matter of fact, there have been many games I have done from the home broadcast booth at the home park, when the team was on the road.

In the 1980’s, I did broadcast games in the radio station inside a studio in front of a 19 inch television. There was no internet, no 45″ television I would call the media representative for the team on the road and ask him/her, to fax me the lineup and the media notes, so I can get ready for the game.

This was not easy. There was a time when, for example; if the team was playing in Baltimore (could be anyplace else) an engineer at the radio station here in the Bay Area would play an ‘endless cart-loop with continuous sound of crowd noise, to give the illusion I was in Baltimore (I did say in a disclaimer I was not broadcasting from the park where the team was playing) but still presented many challenges.

This was done legally with the consent of the team. Today, a game can be called and you can pipe the LIVE original crowd noise from the park where your team was playing. I had many experiences in this regard on radio as well as television.

Early 2000’s as I was hired to broadcast two Caribbean World Series of Baseball. Traveled to Century City, Los Angeles and called those games in English language for Fox Sports International, inside a studio with monitors in front of me of the games that were taking place in México and Venezuela.

However, 2020 there are no crowds allowed at ballparks, so even local stadiums use their own artificial crowd noise, or the radio station can originally use their own to give the illusion. Radio is imagination and creativity, so there is always a little acting you would have to do and create the ‘ambiance for a game that you are watching on a screen that might be 3,000 miles away from where you are sitting in front of a microphone.

Decades before he became the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan recreated college football games and called Chicago Cubs on the radio, just by reading the telegraph (there was no TV) using his imagination and honing his communicating skills, which later as an actor, Governor of California and President would become very handy.

Although there is nothing like calling a game at the location the game is taking place. In this always challenging world of broadcasting you have to be ready to work under all kinds of circumstances. 2020 has taken everybody to the limit in what can be done and what cannot be done.

This “season” as I spoke with various colleagues who are not traveling for the first time and have to do the games this way, I sympathize with them, but totally understand, because I have gone through that. However, they do have the advantage of today’s technology, unlike of the old days, when I had to deal with telephone calls and faxes.

As of Monday the Divisional Series get under way, all teams are now, and for the rest of the year, playing outside their home city. A bubble has been established and sometime prior to Halloween MLB will crown a champion. Stay well and stay tuned

Amaury has been broadcasting baseball for radio or television for various Major League teams for 43 years; he has been nominated for the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasters. Inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame (BARHOF), Cuban Sports Hall of Fame in Miami and The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame in California. Amaury is here for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s and Astros open ALDS in LA Monday night

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Sean Murphy (12) and Tommy LaStella (in front of Murphy) scored for the Oakland A’s in the fifth inning. Runs that would prove crucial as the A’s just by the Chicago White Sox on Thu Oct 1, 2020 game 3 ALWCS at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s will go onto face the Houston Astros in the ALDS starting Mon Oct 5th at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah the A’s and Astros get ready to start the AL Division Series at Dodgers Stadium for neutral site post season starting Monday night the A’s have been getting some good pitching from it’s starters Chris Bassitt, Mike Fiers, and Sean Manaea.

#2 The A’s and Astros have had some bad blood during the regular season starting with the A’s outfielder Ramon Laureano who had been hit by several pitches thrown by Astros pitchers the most famous being when he was hit and got to first base and started jawing with Astros coach Alex Cintron. Do you see this series being that ugly again?

#3 Jeremiah will this series be a grudge match and some say it will be a chance for the A’s to stick it to the Astros?

#4 What about Astros manager Dusty Baker, he comes into the series managing against his former team the Oakland A’s who he played for years ago does this series hold a little bit special for Dusty?

#5 Jeremiah the pitchers for Monday’s game 1 has not been announced yet but one pitcher that will not be starting anytime soon is the Houston Astros Justin Verlander who pitched lights out over the years but it’s now caught up to him and he’s having Tommy John surgery for his right elbow. How badly have the Astros missed Verlander from their rotation.

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts throughout the post season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Can the Athletics win their Fifth World Series?

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Four World Series trophies sit in a case at the Oakland A’s offices at Howard Terminal the future home of the A’s new ball park. The A’s won each trophy in 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1989. Their hoping to get a fifth one but have some tough roads with the Astros coming up (file photo from glassdoor.com)

Can the Athletics win their Fifth World Series?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary Amaury Pi-González

Although they do not give MVP awards during the Wild Card series, there is no doubt Chris Bassitt will be the man to win it in my book. In a world where the baseball world seems to revolve around east coast teams, Bassitt is the best pitcher going in the business that nobody has ever heard of.

Playing without their main star third baseman Matt Chapman, who will not be back until next Spring, so far the A’s have gotten just enough offense to advance to the next round after eliminating a very dangerous offense in the Chicago White Sox, and the depth in their pitching continues to be the key.

Since they will not be back, because the rest of the postseason is on neutral sites, i.e. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles and Glove Life Field in Arlington, Texas, is they are fortunate enough to make it that far. The only time we will see them is when they return, as an eliminated team, or on a Victory parade in downtown Oakland. They will be on the bubble the rest of the 2020 journey.

The first of four World Series victories for the A’s was in 1972, the biggest picture was The Godfather, the Vietnam War was raging and there was a powerful earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua. Latino Legend Roberto Clemente lost his life that year as he chartered a DC-3 plane filled with help to the Nicaraguan people, when his plane disappeared.

The 1972 Oakland Athletics great victory over the Cincinnati Reds in that World Series brought the Bay Area its first title among all the main professional teams. The A’s were the first of three different teams to win consecutive World Series. With this run, the A’s also became the only other Major League franchise besides the Yankees to win at least three straight World Series titles.

With another World Series title the Oakland Athletics will tie the most by a Bay Area professional team. Five (5) Superbowls’ by the San Francisco 49ers. Warriors have won (4) NBA titles, Raiders three (3) Superbowl’s, San Francisco Giants three (3) World Series and San José Earthquake two (2) MLS titles. San José Sharks have not won a Stanley Cup. Note: San José Sharks have been in existence for 29 years and the San José Earthquakes for 21 years.

Beginning next Monday, when the Athletics face the Houston Astros in the best of five (5) ALDS, Bob Melvin’s club will have to navigate a Monday through Friday playoff series with no days off.

So far the team offense is not really clicking in all cylinders and the depth in their pitching could be what keeps carrying this team all the way to the World Series, where, it seems the guys waiting there for them will be the Los Angeles Dodgers, this time in Texas. Of course nothing like the last time these two teams met in 1988. And if that happens, the A’s dream is to win their Fifth World Series.

This is 2020. The Miami Marlins are still playing; they just eliminated the Chicago Cubs in the wild-card series. Founded in 1993, the Miami Marlins have never won a division, yet they have won seven (7) consecutive playoffs series since they were born and most importantly they have won two (2) World Series.

At this point in the playoffs, the Marlins are the biggest story. Their odds to win this year’s World Series were among the longest shots.

Stay well and stay tune.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Titans and Steelers reschedule game due to Covid outbreak; AD and LeBron will dominate Finals; plus more

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The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings meet for a post game prayer following their game in Minneapolis last Sun Sep 27, 2020 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 After ten players and personnel combined on the Tennessee Titans had tested positive for Covid-19. The Minnesota Vikings had to take tests after playing the Titans last Sunday. The Vikings tests came up negative and have returned to practice. The Titans will resume practice on Saturday and were scheduled to play the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday but the NFL will reschedule the game for later in the season .

#2 London, given the recent Titans outbreak does that give concern, alarm that playing a contact game like football is still a high risk situation and asks the question why continue when you have an outbreak like this?

#3 The Los Angeles Lakers trounced the Miami Heat on Wednesday night in game 1 of the NBA Finals, 116-98. The Lakers Anthony Davis led with 34 points and Lebron James followed with 25. With Davis and LeBron the Lakers have been a force in post season.

#4 The Buffalo Bills (3-0) have been playing phenomenal football they’re headed to Las Vegas to play the Las Vegas Raiders (2-1) for week 4. The Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw against a mighty Los Angeles Rams defense last Sunday going 24-33 for 311 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. How do you see this match up this Sunday afternoon?

#5 London turning to the MLB postseason the Oakland A’s who not only won the AL West and won a playoff series and are headed to the Division Series in Los Angeles against the Houston Astros. The A’s pitching had been key in getting them to the post season getting great pitching support from starters Chris Bassitt 5-2 (ERA 2.29) and Sean Manaea 4-3 (ERA 4.50).

Join London each Friday for Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Baseball Gods smile on A’s beat White Sox 6-4 to advance ALDS

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Oakland A’s catcher Sean Murphy (left) and pitcher Liam Hendriks (right) celebrate the WCLS series game 3 victory over the Chicago White Sox at the Oakland Coliseum on Thu Oct 1, 2020 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The baseball gods finally smiled on the Oakland Athletics on Thursday. The A’s came from behind to beat the White Sox 6-4. The A’s had lost nine consecutive winner-take-all series.

The last time they won a winner-take-all series was in 1973 when they defeated the New York Mets in game seven. Oakland advances to the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros. The A’s were 7-3 against the Astros this year. The series will be played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

The A’s sent the veteran righty, Mike Fiers, to the hill to face the Chisox. The Sox countered with rookie Dave Dunning. Fiers had never started a game in the playoffs in his ten-year career. Dunning was making his eighth start in big league career.

Both managers planned to go to the bullpen at the first sign of trouble. Sox manager, Rick Renteria, made a couple of lineup changes. Eloy Jimenez was penciled in to be the DH. Jimenez did not play in the first two games due to an ankle injury. Nomar Mazara started in right, and Adam Engel was moved to left. A’s manager Bob Melvin started Jake Lamb at third, and Randy Grossman was in left. Mark Canha moved over to right.

The White Sox drew first blood in the top of the second. Sox rookie Luis Robert blasted a 487-foot monster shot to give the Sox an early 1-0 lead. Fiers struck out the next two batters. He got into a jam when he gave up a single to Nick Madrigal, a double to Tim Anderson, and a walk to Yasmani Grandal to load the bases.

Melvin brought in Yusmeiro Petit to face Jose Abreu. Petit did the job as he got Abreu to ground out to end the threat.

The White Sox put two more on the board in the third. Jimenez doubled to start the rally. Jimenez aggravated his injury, sliding into second and had to leave the game. James McCann replaced him. Luis Robert singled to drive in McCann.

Robert advanced to second on the throw home. Mazara doubled to drive in Robert to put the Sox ahead 3-0. Oakland loaded the bases with one out in their half of the third but failed to score.

Things began to change for Oakland in the fourth. With two out and a man on first, A’s rookie catcher, Sean Murphy, homered to make it a 3-2 game. The A’s plated two more in the inning. Tommy La Stella walked to continue the rally. He went to third on Marcus Semien’s double.

The Sox gave Chad Pinder an intentional walk to load the bases. Renteria brought in rookie Matt Foster to pitch to Mark Canha. The rookie was wild. He walked Canha to bring in La Stella with the A’s third run. He then walked Matt Olson to force in Semien with the fourth run. Oakland is now ahead 4-3.

The Sox tied the game in the fifth. Sox third baseman, Yoan Moncada, singled and then stole second. Moncada scored on Mazara’s single. La Stella made the game’s defensive play when he made a fantastic juggling catch to rob Adam Engel of a hit.

Oakland regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth. The A’s loaded the bases without the benefit of a hit. Evan Marshall was now pitching for Chicago. Marshall walked the leadoff hitter, Sean Murphy.

La Stella reached when Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal was called for catcher’s interference. The official scorer charged Grandal with an error. Marshall walked Semien to load the bases. The next hitter, Chad Pinder, who was 2-for-35 with the based loaded, singled to drive in Murphy and La Stella to put the A’ up 6-4.

Neither team would score again. The Sox, however, had chances in the seventh and eighth innings to either tie or take the lead. In the seventh, they loaded the base without a hit. The A’s had Lou Trivino on the mound.

With one out, Jose Abreu started the inning a ground ball to shortstop Marcus Semien. Semien’s throw to first pulled Matt Olson off the bag. Semien was charged with an error. Trivino hit McCann with a pitch. Trivino retired the next two hitters. Melvin brought in lefty Jake Diekman to pitch. Diekman walked Mazara to load the bases. The threat ended when Engel grounded out.

In the eighth, With one out, Chicago shortstop, Tim Anderson singled. Joakim Soria walked Grandal to put two on at first and second with Jose Abreu coming to bat. Soria got Abreu to ground into an inning double play.

The A’s brought in Liam Hendriks to close out the game. Hendriks did not fare well on Wednesday as he threw 49 pitches. A’s manager Bob Melvin said that Hendriks would be available to pitch Thursday. Sox DH James McCann singled to start the ninth. Hendriks showed the White Sox why he was the best closer in baseball. He struck out the next three hitters to preserve the win for Oakland. The A’s win 6-4 and advance to the ALDS.

Game Notes- The time of the game was four hours and ten minutes. The White Sox used nine pitchers. The A’s used eight. The 17 pitchers used set a record for most pitchers in a regular nine-inning game.

Luis Robert was the youngest player to hit a home run in a playoff game since Mickey Mantle did it in 1952.

The White Sox are done for the year. They will be back. The A’s are still playing.

The A’s are advancing in the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s season was on the line in game 2 ninth inning

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Oakland A’s outfielder Mark Canha (left) goes up to make the snow cone catch similar to the one that former outfielder Joe Rudi (right) made in the 1972 World Series. Canha makes the grab in game 2 of the ALWCS at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Sep 30, 2020 (photo from NBC Sports)

On the MLB The Show podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry like you said in your column yesterday game 2 of the Wild Card Series was a nail biter with the A’s leading 5-0 in the top of the eighth inning the Chicago White Sox started making noise.

#2 Jerry up to the eighth inning A’s starter Chris Bassitt had the Sox on the ropes with a 5-0 shutout until the Sox Tim Anderson led off the inning with a single and Bassitt was lifted for reliver Liam Hendriks. Hendriks pitching to the Sox Yasmani Grandal who turned on it for a two run homer getting the Sox on the scoreboard now down by three 5-2.

#3 Jerry talk about that ninth inning with the bases juiced and A’s reliever Jake Diekman pitching and he walked in a runner to make it 5-3 and the A’s season on the line.

#4 Jerry talk about the dangers of facing a hitter like the White Sox Jose Abreau who has 60 RBIs in 60 games, with 19 homers and had a home run in game 1 of Tuesday’s series.

#5 Talk about today’s game 3 starting pitchers A’s manager Bob Melvin Mike Fiers (0-0) and the White Sox manager Rick Renteria will go with Dane Dunning (0-0).

Join Jerry Thursdays thoughout the Oakland A’s post season for the A’s podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: What Pandemic? MLB to Allow Fans in the Stands

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Globelife Park home of the Texas Rangers who were hosting the Oakland A’s in this Fri Sep 11, 2020 photo will be the post season home for the NL Playoffs and World Series (file photo from the Dallas Morning News)

What Pandemic? MLB to Allow Fans in the Stands

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–MLB announced that a limited number of fans will be allowed to buy tickets for the National League Championship and the World Series. Around 11,500 tickets will be made available for each game, with 10,550 fans spread through the park and suites.

They have not allowed any fans at any stadium because of the Coronavirus pandemic. But this will change. The National League Championship Series starts in Arlington, Texas, on October 12 and the World Series also at the same facility, beginning October 2-. The Globe Life Park, was built under a cost of $1.2 billion dollars and features a retractable roof.

There will be certain rules for the fans to follow. 1-Mask will be mandatory. Not when eating or drinking at their seats 2-Hand sanitizing stations will be available at many locations at the park. 3-No bags allowed, except for those that carry medical reasons or diapers for babies, accompany by their parents/adults.

The tickets will go on sale on October 6 and will be sold in groups of four seats, and those seats will be a minimum of six feet apart, and at least 20 feet from any area where a player could be, including the field dugout and bullpen.

The brand new Globe Life Field has a capacity of 40,300.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for the American League Wild Card Series broadcast Thursday at noon between the Chicago White Sox and Oakland A’s for game 3 on 1010 KIQI San Francisco the Spanish flagship station of the A’s and for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s win a nail-biter to even series beat Sox 5-3

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The Oakland A’s Sean Murphy (12) and Marcus Semien (10) go for the forearm bash after Semien went deep for a two run homer in the second inning of game 2 of the ALWCS at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Sep 30, 2020 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

With their backs to the wall facing elimination, The Oakland A’s, behind the superb pitching of Chris Bassitt, bounced back to beat the Chicago White Sox 5-3 to even the series at one apiece. The teams meet again on Thursday. The winner will advance to the ALDS, and the loser will go home.

The A’s offense, which went to sleep Tuesday, came to life Wednesday afternoon. The team knew that they were facing a tough lefty, Dallas Keuchel. They knew the White Sox have a potent offense led by Tim Anderson, Yasmany Grandal, and Jose Abreu. The A’s had to put some runs on the board early in the game if they were to stay alive. They did just that.

The A’s, wearing the Kelly green uniforms, scored two runs in the first inning. Singles by Tommy La Stella, Ramon Laureano, and Chad Pinder loaded the bases. A’s first baseman, Matt Olson, hit a sharp ground ball that bounced of Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal that went into right field, allowing La Stella and Laureano to score. After a lengthy review, the official scorer charged MAdrigal with an error. The A’ lead 2-0.

The A’s put two more on the board in the second to make it 4-0. With one out, catcher Sean Murphy singled. He trotted home ahead of Marcus Semien, who homered off Sox starter Dallas Keuchel.

In the fourth, A’s DH Khris Davis, who has been struggling at the plate all season, hit a solo blast over the fence in left-field to put the A’s ahead 5-0. White Sox manager Rick Renteria removed Keuchel from the game.

Bassitt held the potent White Sox offense in check until the top of the eighth. Sox shortstop, Tim Anderson, singled to start the rally. A’s manager, Bob Melvin, had seen enough. He brought in his closer, Liam Hendriks, to get the last six outs of the game.

It started well as Hendriks struck out Yoan Moncado for the first out. The next hitter, Yasmany Grandal, blasted his second home run of the series into the seats in right-field to make it 5-2. Hendriks gave up a single to Jose Abreu but was able to end the inning by striking out the next two hitters.

Liam Hendriks struck out the first two hitters to start the ninth. It was at this point that things began to go south for Oakland. Nick Madrigal singled. Tim Anderson had his third knock of the game to put men on at first and second.

Yoan Moncado, with one swing of the bat, could tie the game. Hendriks walked him to load the bases. Hendriks had thrown 49 pitches, and his slider was not working. Melvin brought in Jake Diekman to face Grandal.

It was a risky move as the White Sox hitters have been punishing left-handers all season. Diekman walked Grandal to force in a run to make it 5-3. He now had to face the ever-dangerous Jose Abreu.

Abreu had 60 RBIs in 60 games to lead the AL in that department. He had crushed 19 homers in the regular season and homered in the series’s first game. He was hitting .317. Abreu could tie the game with a single. Diekman won the battle. Abreu hit Diekman’s first pitch to A’s second baseman Nate Orf, and the game was over. The A’s win 5-3.

Game Notes-

The A’s line 5-7-0
Chicago’s 3-10-2

Chris Bassitt was the winning pitcher. He went seven-plus innings, allowing one run and six hits. He threw 92 pitches. Diekman earned the save. Dallas Keuchel took the loss for Chicago. Keuchel went three and 1/3rd innings. He allowed five runs, and two were unearned. He was touched for six hits and two home runs.

Chicago’s Tim Anderson had three hits in the game and has six for the series. Yasmany Grandal homered for the second time in the series.

The A’s offense came to life Wednesday. Semien and Davis homered for the Green and Gold. The defensive play of the game came in the top of the third. A’s left-fielder, Mark Canha, made a sensational leaping catch to rob Yoan Moncado of an extra-base hit. Canha extended as far as he could to catch the ball before it hit the wall. There were two men on with no out. Had he not made the grab, the Sox would have put one or two runs on the board.

Neither the A’s nor the White Sox have announced their starting pitchers for Thursday’s game. The A’s will have to choose between Mike Fiers or lefty Sean Manaea. The A’s probably will go with Fiers as the White Sox have a 15-0 record against lefties. The game will begin at 12:10 pm Thursday.

ALWC Series game 1: A’s playoff woes continue fall to the White Sox 4-1

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By Jerry Feitelberg

The Wild Card series between the Oakland A’s and the Chicago White Sox began on Tuesday at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s in the playoffs for the third consecutive season, the sixth time in the last nine years, and the eleventh time in the previous 21 seasons faced the White Sox, making their first appearance in the playoffs since 2008.

A’s manager Bob Melvin made a surprising choice by announcing left Jesus Luzardo would start for Oakland. Everyone thought lefty Sean Manaea would have the honor, but Melvin decided to go with Luzardo. It was also surprising as the White Sox have battered lefty pitching all season. They were 14-0 against lefties. The Sox led the American League with 96 home runs. They have a predominately right-handed batting order, and they made the A’s pay by crushing them 4-1.

White Sox manager, Rick Renteria, made a wise choice by selecting his ace, Lucas Giolito, to pitch. Giolito was perfect for the first six innings. Eighteen batters up and eighteen batters retired. Tommy La Stella singled to break up the possible no-hitter and perfect game leading off in the top of the seventh. Giolito retired the next three batters to end the seventh. The scoring summary follows below.

Chicago put the first run of the game on the board in the top of the second inning. Right-fielder Adam Engel blasted a home run over the left-field wall to make it 1-0. The White Sox added two more runs in the third. Sox shortstop, Tim Anderson, led off with a single. It was his second hit of the game. Luzardo retired the next two batters. He did not get by Jose Abreu. The big guy from Cuba sent Luzardo’s pitch way over the left-center-field fence to put Chicago ahead 3-0.
Giolito continued to mow down the A’s batters. The A’s came into the game having lost five of the last seven. The offense was not clicking on all cylinders. The ineptness continued Tuesday afternoon.

In the eighth, Sox catcher Yasmany Grandal hit a solo home run off A’s reliever, Joakim Soria, to make it 4-0. The A’s broke through in their half of the frame as they put one on the board. Giolito walked the leadoff hitter, Mark Canha. Rick Renteria walked out to the mound to talk to Giolito. He gave him a quick pep talk and left Giolito in the game A’s third baseman Jake Lamb singled, sending Canha to third. Renteria decided to go to his bullpen. He brought in Evan Marshall to pitch to Ramon Laureano. Laureano hit into a fielder’s choice. Canha scored to put the A’s on the board. Marshall struck out Chad Pinder for the second out. Catcher Sean Murphy singled to put men on at first and second with two out. Renteria brought in lefty Aaron Bummer to retire Tommy La Stella. The A’s trail 4-1 after eight.
Sox closer Alex Colome set the A’s down 1-2-3 in the ninth to record the save. The A’s lose 4-1.

Game notes- With the loss, the A’s have their backs against the wall. They must win on Wednesday. They will have to find a way to beat Dallas Keuchel. The A’s will send Chris Bassitt to the mound on Wednesday. Bassitt has pitched very well this year. He will have his work cut out for him as he tries to shut down the mighty White Sox lineup. The A’s have to do something to ignite the offense. They hit just .225 as a team during the sixty-game season. Jake Lamb, as an Oakland Athletic, and Tommy La Stella were the only players in the lineup hitting over .240. They better have steak for breakfast Wednesday morning. Maybe that will get them going.

The line score for Chicago was 4-9-0. For Oakland 1-3-0.
Tim Anderson had three hits for the Sox. Home runs accounted for all of the runs that Chicago put on the board.
The A’s had three hits. They struck out nine times.
It is do-or-die for Oakland on Wednesday. The A’s have not won a playoff game since 2013. They lost the last game of the 2013 ALDS to the Detroit Tigers. They lost the Wild Card game to the Kansas City Royals in 2014. They Lost to the New York Yankees in 2018. The Tampa Bay Rays did them in last year. The baseball gods have not been kind to Oakland. It’s time for the Green and Gold to right the ship and get a win. There is no tomorrow if they lose. The game starts at 12:10 pm.