It is difficult to think of a series in August as a must win, but that is the situation that the Oakland A’s find themselves in.
The A’s season is starting to slip away. What had been a promising year, one where they were contending for the division, has become a disaster. They are now 1.5 games out of a playoff spot, their season beginning to slowly circle the drain. The A’s are closer to falling to third in the division than they are to the second Wild Card spot, in danger of sliding behind the Mariners.
Oakland A’s need to find a way to win series against Yankees
This series against the Yankees is particularly important for the A’s postseason hopes. While the Red Sox are their closest target in the Wild Card hunt at 1.5 games ahead, the Yankees hold the other at large berth. With New York 4.5 games ahead of the A’s heading into Thursday’s action, this series could make a major difference in the A’s hopes.
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It is also not a situation that the A’s expected to be in. They had been two innings away from continuing to hold one of the Wild Card spots. However, Lou Trivino had a horrendous time for his workload to catch up to him, as he blew the save on Sunday and Tuesday. Those blown saves, added to the two comeback victories from the Giants (one of which was aided by a blown save), have deflated the A’s sails.
But all it takes is a convincing series win to get that momentum back. If the A’s are able to take three out of the four games against New York, they would certainly strengthen their case. Likewise, if the A’s were to lose three of four, or get swept, it may be time to start to look at 2022 instead.
Over the years, the A’s have developed a reputation as a team that can turn it on in the second half. Struggles over the first half have not been a concern because there has been a surge waiting during the dog days of summer. At this point, the A’s need that surge to take place.
The Oakland A’s are facing a critical series with the New York Yankees. It is not hyperbolic to say that their season could be on the line.