WHAT DID I JUST SEE?

WHAT DID I JUST SEE?

 

 
 

 

The question above had to be stated countless times last night during the AL Wildcard Game between the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals. So many things happened, both good and bad to illicit such a reaction, but one thing is for sure, that was one hell of a game.

To get the bad part of the what did I just see equation out of the way, make no mistake that as great and exciting as that game turned out to be last night, it may have been the worst managed game in the playoffs in a long time. Ned Yost would be mostly to blame for that but Bob Melvin certainly didn’t make it easy on him to win the worst manager award. Both Oakland and Kansas City were able to overcome their managerial inefficiencies and produce a game for the ages and one that will not soon be forgotten.

Oakland seemed to find their offense, especially Brandon Moss who has been battling a hip injury for some time now. However, thanks to Kansas City’s speed and heart, no lead was safe. Kansas City was able to capitalize on the injury to Geovany Soto who was starting strictly because of his ability to control the run game over Derek Norris. Once Norris was put in then Kansas City went on the attack. That is of course when they weren’t bunting guys over every chance they got.

Kansas City was the hungrier team and battled their hearts out for a well deserved win. They now move on to face an Angels in a series that will be all about speed versus power. Mike Trout finally gets a taste of the postseason and I feel he will not disappoint, but the Royals can win this series if the defense plays well and Yost gets out of his own way.

Tonight is the NL Wild Card Game between the San Francisco Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Good luck to both of these teams trying to follow the game last night, although to their credit there aren’t many teams who could. For my money the key to this game is the top of the Giants batting order. If Gregor Blanco and Joe Panik can get on base for the heart of the order then I don’t see any way San Francisco can lose. They are sending their 25 year old two-time World Series Champion ace to the mound in Madison Bumgarner and this kid will not feel any pressure or butterflies. He will also make very few mistakes, so Pittsburgh will need to capitalize on those if they want to have a chance. This game should be more of a low scoring affair than last night was, and unlike in the AL where either winner would have a chance against Anaheim, I don’t see either of these NL teams having a chance against Washington come the NLDS. San Francisco gets the W tonight before bowing out to the buzzsaw that is the Washington Nationals next round.