Lester vs King Felix: Preview of a Potential Wild Card Battle

Aug 29, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starter Jon Lester (31) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners are wrapping up a 3-game series, and the pressure has never been higher. Why? Wednesday afternoon’s game could potentially be a preview of the American League Wild Card Game. The Athletics and the Mariners are sending their aces to the mound. Get ready to watch October-caliber pitching. Buy a ticket, set a DVR, or quit your job and head to a bar, because you will not want to miss watching this game.

Game Details:

Wednesday, September 3 – 12:35pm PST at O.co Coliseum.

TV: OAK: CSNCA SEA: ROOT SPORTS

Radio: OAK: 95.7FM The Game SEA: 710 ESPN

Jon Lester, LHP (13-2, 2.66 ERA) vs Félix Hernández, RHP (13-5, 2.23 ERA)

This will be the last game for Seattle in Oakland, unless the Athletics host the Wild Card Game. But these teams will face each other for another series regardless. On September 12-14, the A’s will travel to Seattle to wrap up their season series against one another.

Following Tuesday night’s loss to the Mariners and the Angels’ loss to the Astros, the Athletics remain 4.5 games behind the Angels for the AL West lead. The Athletics currently have a 3 game lead over the Tigers for the first Wild Card spot, and are 4.5 games ahead of the Mariners.

The Oakland Athletics tweeted out a gem of a photo, with the hashtag #GameOfThrows.

Hernández vs Lester:

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Hernández was signed by the Seattle Mariners as an amateur free agent in 2002, and he made his debut with the team in 2005. He has played all 9 of his major league career seasons with Seattle.

During the 2nd round of the 2002 draft, Lester was selected by the Boston Red Sox. Following his 2006 debut with the Red Sox, he played 8 seasons with them before being traded to Oakland.

It is undeniable, Hernández is a dominating power pitcher and has had a career decorated with individual awards and achievements. The most notable: He’s pitched a perfect game and won an AL Cy Young award (and is well on his way to a second). He’s also been an All-Star 5 times, including 4 consecutive years since 2011. He would like nothing more than to help push his team into the playoffs.

Lester’s individual achievements and awards may not compare to those of Hernández, but Lester has achieved what Felix hasn’t even been close to accomplishing: pitching in the postseason. Lester has not only pitched in the postseason, he has dominated, and he has World Series experience and the two rings to show for it. Hernández has never even pitched in the postseason. My money will always be on the man who beat cancer and was a starter during two separate World Series runs.

HOW TO BEAT KING FELIX:

Score runs. Ok, that’s overly simplified.

Hernández can easily intimidate batters, as he can appear nearly unhittable at times. He has accumulated 205 strikeouts, and has a stunning 0.91 WHIP this season! His opponents have had a .202 battering average when facing him. But he’s not perfect. The Nationals roughed him up badly during his last start. Hernández had FOUR home runs hit off of him. Hopefully Adam Dunn can cause similar destruction against King Félix.

King Felix’s stats against the A’s this season are just as impressive. Hernández has a 2.43 ERA and 1.08 WHIP against Oakland. He’s given up 8 earned runs over 29.2 innings. He’s dealt out 28 strikeouts, and surrendered only 5 walks.

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The first step will be to simply “get on base.” The A’s can utilize baserunners to potentially score a run. Someone in scoring position may be able to take advantage of small mistake from Hernández, allowing Oakland to score. If an opportunity arises, the speeders of Burns or Fuld can be brought in to pinch run. Hernández may become distracted, allowing a batter an opportunity for an RBI. If all else fails, we can try to rely on power hitting.

Adam Dunn has a .823 OPS (on-base plus slugging) vs right handed pitchers, and a 1.625 OPS at O.co Coliseum. Dunn’s power alone could bash in a game-changing run. We saw last night how his pinch-hit single ignited the A’s offense and was the catalyst that nearly brought the A’s back from a 6-0 deficit. His damage could be lethal if the A’s can manage to have a baserunner on board. The A’s are really missing the power of Moss, power that hasn’t existed since July 24th (the last time Moss hit a HR). Donaldson’s bat will be crucial. We need him back in top form. Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing Sogard hit his second home run of the season. I’ll take offense anyway I can get it.

The next step will be stifling Seattle’s offense. This game may be decided by a single run. Our pitching will be critical in beating Hernández. We simply cannot allow runs this game. Thankfully, Lester has an impressive 1.84 ERA at O.co Coliseum this year.

If Lester can stay dominant, and the A’s can produce at least 2 runs, that could be enough to win. Even just 1 run off Hernández could turn the tide. The A’s will most likely do their real damage against Seattle’s bullpen. With Lester on the mound, the game will likely end 2-1 or possibly even 2-0 or 1-0. I know A’s fans wouldn’t mind duplicating the same success the Nationals had against King Felix.

If all else fails, pray for runs. Right?

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