Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s need another win to live another day for game 4

Oakland A’s reliever Liam Hendriks slams the door on the Houston Astros for the game 3 victory of the American League Division Series at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 It was do or die for the Oakland A’s win big or go home. The A’s chose the latter and a three run home run by Chad Pinder got the A’s right back in the all game after being three runs down.

#2 It was a home run derby for A’s hitters five to survive in game 3 if not for that there would be no game 4.

#3 Jerry talk about Astro pitching is this an indication of where their bullpen is at or just a hic up in the series?

#4 After watching Chris Bassitt and Sean Manaea go down in their starts for the A’s and the Astros had that five run fifth the A’s were still producing home runs and didn’t buckle and persevered scoring three in the seventh and two in the eighth to come back.

#5 The A’s will start Frankie Montas for game 4 and the Astros will start Zack Greinke. Will this be another one for the ages or will the Astros get back on track and end it today?

Join Jerry for the Oakland A’s post season podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s offense comes to life beat Astros 9-7 stay alive avoid elimination

The Oakland A’s Chad Pinder (right) gets congratulations after the conclusion of game 3 of the ALDS against the Houston Astros at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Wed Oct 7, 2020. (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

It was do or die for the Oakland A’s on Wednesday when they faced off against the Houston Astros. The Astros, with a win, would have ended the A’s 2020 season. The A’s found a way to stay alive as they beat the Astros 9-7 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

The A’s offense came to life against five Houston pitchers. The A’s tied a franchise record by sending five balls out of the park. Four of the blast were solo jobs. The big hit was Chad Pinder’s three-run shot in the top of the seventh. The late Baltimore Oriole manager, Earl Weaver, always said that a three run home run was his favorite play in baseball.

Oakland needed to get off to a fast start on Wednesday. The Astros started Jose Urquiddy in place of Zack Greinke. Greinke was not feeling 100% and was scratched. With one out in the first inning, A’s second baseman, Tommy La Stella, homered to give the A’s an early 1-0 lead. Houston, in their half of the first, put two on the board. Former MVP, Jose Altuve tied the score with a solo home run. Michael Brantley, playing in left, followed with a single.

He went to third thanks to Alex Bregman’s single. Shortstop Carlos Correa drove in Brantley with the Astros’ second when he hit into a fielder’s choice. The Astros lead 2-1 after one inning of play.

The A’s tied the game in the top of the second. Mark Canha led off the second with a home run to center-field. In the fourth, A’s first baseman, Matt Olson, homered to right to put the A’s up 3-2. The A’s homer parade continued when Marcus Semien hit one in the fifth to give Oakland a two-run cushion 4-2 midway through the fifth.

The Astros have a very potent offense. They know that they can put runs on the board. They showed their prowess in the bottom of the fifth when they sent ten men to the plate. They scored five runs on five hits, one hit batter, and two walks.

First baseman Yuli Guriel walked. DH Aledmys Diaz tied the game with a home run to left. Luzardo retired Martin Maldonado for the first out. A’s manager, Bob Melvin, brought in Yusmeiro Petit to pitch. Petit, who had an outstanding season, did not fare well on Wednesday. He hit George Springer with a pitch.

Singles by Altuve and Brantley put Houston in the lead 5-4. Alex Bregman doubled to drive in Brantley with Houston’s sixth run of the game. Altuve was thrown out at third on the playThe A’s gave Carlos Correa an intentional walk to put men on at first and second with two out. Lefty Jake Diekman was brought in to pitch to the left-handed hitter, Kyle Tucker. Tucker beat the strategy as he singled to right to drive in Bregman. Houston now leads 7-4 after five.

The A’s had to do two things to win. They needed the offense to wake up and score. They required the vaunted bullpen to shut down the Astros’ offense. They found their mojo and came through on both counts.

The A’s put three on the board in the seventh. Marcus Semien started the rally with a single. Tommy La Stella also singled. Semien went to third. A’s third baseman, Chad Pinder, tied the game with an opposite-field blast.

Oakland was back in the game. They plated two more runs in the eighth. Robbie Grosman walked to get things going. Ramon Laureano doubled, sending Grossman to third. Catcher Sean Murphy drove in Grossman with the tie-breaking run with a sacrifice fly to right.

The A’s loaded the bases when Semien was walked, and a pitch hit La Stella. La Stella was hit his right elbow and had to leave the game. Pinder drove in his fourth run of the game with a sacrifice fly to right to put the A’s in the driver’s seat 9-7.

The A’s brought in their closer, Liam Hendriks, to pitch three innings. Hendriks allowed just one hit and no runs in his three innings of work. He got out of a jam in the eighth when Houston put men on at first and second with no outs. He retired the next three batters to quell the uprising. The A’s win 9-7 and live to see another day.

Game Notes- The A’s are not out of the woods. They must win Thursday to stay alive. They announced Frankie Montas as their starter for Thursday’s game. The Astros have not determined their starter yet.

The line score for Oakland was nine runs, eleven hits, and one error. The A’s tied a franchise record with five home runs. The last time they had five homers in a postseason game came against the San Francisco Giants in the 1989 World Series.
Houston’s line was seven runs, ten hits, and no errors. They hit two home runs.

Game four will be played Thursday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. The game will start at 12:35 pm.

Astros beat A’s again 5-2; Need one more win to eliminate A’s

The Oakland A’s pitcher Sean Manaea heads to the A’s dugout in the fifth after being lifted by manager Bob Melvin as the A’s struggle with the Houston Astros in game 2 in the ALDS at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles (AP News photo) 

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Houston Astros won Game Two of the best-of-five series against the A’s by a score of 5-2 Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles. Oakland now has tow win three in a row to advance to the AL Championship Series. Will it be difficult?

Yes, it will. It can be done. In 1984, the Chicago Cubs won the first two games of the series with the San Diego Padres. The Friars stunned the Cubs, winning the next three to eliminate them. The A’s know that if they lose Wednesday’s game, their season is over.

The A’s drew first blood in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, A’s DH, Khris Davis, hit his second home run of the series to give the A’s an early 1-0 lead. The lead didn’t last long as Houston put two on the board in the top of the third.

With Josh Reddick on first and two out, Houston’s hot-hitting centerfielder, George Springer, blasted his first career home run off Sean Manaea to give the Astros the advantage 2-1.

Houston put one on the board in the fourth. Their DH, Michael Brantley, doubled to right. Kyle Tucker’s infield single sent Brantley to third. Carlos Correa drove in Brantley with Houston’s third run when he grounded out.

The A’s third baseman, Chad Pinder, led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo home run to make it a 3-2 game. The A’s didn’t know that was the last time they would score.

Houston put the game away in the fifth. Catcher Martin Maldonado ended Sean Manaea’s day when he homered to left. A’s manager, Bob Melvin, replaced Manaea with Yusmeiro Petit. Petit had the unenviable task of facing George Springer.

Springer had four hits in Monday’s game and had homered in his last at-bat. Springer, who had fourteen homers in the regular season, hit his second dinger of the game to give Houston a 5-2 advantage.

The A’s bullpen shut down the Houston offense the rest of the way. They did not allow a hit over the last four and 2/3rds innings of play.

The Houston bullpen stopped the A’s cold. After Davis’ single in the fourth, the A’s offense went to sleep. They retired thirteen A’s hitters in a row. Marcus Semien ended the drought in the ninth with a single. Houston closer, Ryan Pressley retired Tommy La Stella for the first out in the ninth. He got Pinder to ground into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play. The Astros win 5-2.

Game Notes- The line score for Houston was five runs, six hits, and no errors. The Line for Oakland was two runs, six hits, and no errors.

Five home runs were hit in the game. Houston hit three. The A’s hit two.
Sean Manaea was the losing pitcher. Manaea went four and 1/3rd innings. He allowed four runs, five hits, and two home runs. Yusmeiro Petit allowed one run, which was Springer’s second homer of the game.

Lefty Framber Valdez was the winning pitcher. He went seven innings and allowed two runs and five hits.

Game three will be placed Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. The Astros will be the home team. The teams have not announced the starting pitchers. The game will start at 12:35 pm.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Astros rally in late innings to clobber A’s in game 1

The Houston Astros Carlos Correa (1) take Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt deep in game 1 of the ALDS at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles Mon Oct 4, 2020 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt was doing such a masterful job up until he had to face the Houston Astros in game 1 of the ALDS. It was the fourth inning the Astros came through with three runs.

#2 From what you could see Amaury what wasn’t working for Bassitt, was he getting behind on the count, was he missing his velocity, or was he just pressing?

#3 The Astros had their big boppers working for them in Carlos Correa and George Springer they can provide some offense.

#4 The ALDS is a neutral site series at Dodger Stadium played in hot temperatures it was 91 at game time does a neutral site location take away any advantage for the A’s.

#5 Sean Manaea who pitched in the A’s last season post season wild card game will start Tuesday in game 2 at Dodger Stadium. Will he feel that type of pressure like he did last year?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for the Oakland A’s on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Houston’s offense roughs up Oakland’s pitching win first game AL Division Series 10-5

The Houston Astros Carlos Correa (left) and George Springer (right) jump for joy after the Astros took game 1 of the ALDS in Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles for the first neutral site playoff game on Mon Oct 5, 2020 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Houston Astros, playing with a chip on their collective shoulders, pounded out sixteen hits to defeat the A’s 10-5 to win Game One of the five-game AL Division Series.

The teams were playing in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium. The A’s are the home team, but it didn’t feel as if they had a home-field advantage. Instead of playing in Oakland’s cooler temperatures, the temperature at game time was 91 degrees.

Also missing for Oakland was the vast, foul territory that exists at the Coliseum. The teams knew that baseballs carry better in warm air, and Monday’s game featured six long balls, three by each team.

The A’s sent righty Chris Bassitt to the hill. Bassitt was the AL pitcher of the month in September. However, he had to face a Houston Astros lineup loaded with players that know how to it. It was not going to be an easy task to keep the Astros down.

The Astros were 29-31 during the season. They had a lot of injuries to key players. They were in the World Series last year. They know how to win. Most importantly, their players are now healthy.

The A’s entered the game having defeated an excellent Chicago White Sox team. The Sox, like the Astros, had a potent lineup. A’s manager wanted the team to win the first game. Astros’ manager, Dusty Baker, had similar thoughts for his team.

The A’s drew first blood in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, A’s first baseman, Matt Olson, walked. Designated hitter, Khris Davis, hit Lance McCullers first pitch into the right-center-field seats to put the A’s ahead 2-0.

The A’s made it 3-0 in the bottom of the third. Catcher Sean Murphy led off the frame with a blast to center-field.

The Astros tied the game in the fourth. Alex Bregman led off with a solo homer to put the Astros on the board. Kyle Tucker singled. Carlos Correa homered to tie the game. The A’s regained the lead when Matt Olson hit a solo home run to make it 4-3. The A’s added another run in the fifth to take a 5-3 lead. They didn’t know it the time that Oakland would not score again.

Houston’s fortune changed in the sixth. With two out, former A’s player, Josh Reddick, reached on Marcus Semien’s fielding error. The Astros took advantage and scored four unearned runs. Maldonado singled, Springer doubled, Altuve singled, and Brantley singled to produce the runs. The Astros now lead 7-5.

Carlos Correa homered for the second time in the eighth to make it 8-5. They added two more in the ninth to put the game away 10-5.

Game Notes- The line score for Houston was ten runs, sixteen hits, and one error. For Oakland, it was five runs, eight hits, and one error.

How important was winning game one? Houston is in the driver’s seat. They can split the two of the four remaining games to advance. The A’ must now win three out four. It can be done, but it will not be easy.

Marcus Semien and Khris Davis led the A’s offense with two hits each. Davis had a two-run homer in the second inning. Matt Olson and Sean Murphy also connected for Oakland.

George Springer had four hits in the game. He had three singles and a double. Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Kyle Tucker each had three hits. One of Bregman’s hit was a home run. Carlos Correa had three hits, two of which were big flys. Correa was the first shortstop to have two multi-home run games in the post-season.

Houston’s bullpen shut down the A’s offense without a hit after the fifth inning. The A’s bullpen, the best in baseball, had a meltdown as they were burnt for seven runs. A’s manager Bob Melvin will have his work cut out for him as he has to figure out ways to shutdown Houston’s offense.


Houston’s manager, Dusty Baker, became the first manager to lead five teams into the post-season. The teams were the Giants, Cubs, Reds, Nationals, and now, the Astros. Way to go, Dusty.

Game two of the five-game series will be played Tuesday afternoon at Dodger stadium. The game will start at 1:37 pm.
Lefty Sean Manaea will go for Oakland. Manaea faced the Astros just once this season. On September 10th, he went seven innings and allowed only one hit. The Astros will counter with lefty Framber Valdez. Valdez faced the A’s on August 8th. He went seven innings and allowed two runs (one earned) and struck out nine.

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum: Chiefs-Patriots game postponed Newton in quarantine; Swiss Skydiver edges out the Preakness; plus more

The New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) and running back Rex Burkhead (34) celebrate Burkhead’s touchdown catch against the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday in Foxborough (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports with Daniel:

1 NFL’s Covid-19 issues — Patriots QB Cam Newton placed on league’s pandemic reserve list; NFL postponed Chiefs-Patriots game

2 Preakness won by filly Swiss Skydiver

3 Swingin’ A’s in the ALDS

4 Aces hope to bounce back in WNBA finals against Seattle; play game 2 today in Florida

5 RIP Bob Gibson, Ron Perranoski, Jay Johnstone hard to believe

Daniel Dullum does Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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

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?

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

 

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

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

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