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Stick a fork in the Oakland A’s 2021 hopes

By David Hill

Sep 23, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Starling Marte (2) walks back to the dugout after striking out against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Starling Marte (2) walks back to the dugout after striking out against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland A’s needed to beat up on the Seattle Mariners in their most recent series. Not only are the Mariners one of the A’s rivals when it comes to earning a Wild Card berth, but with the teams ahead of them scuffling, this was a perfect opportunity. Chris Bassitt was even coming back to potentially provide that spark that the team needed for the home stretch.

Instead, the A’s completely fell apart. They were swept by the Mariners and have now lost four consecutive games, falling four games out of the second Wild Card spot. With nine games left, all of which are against the Astros and the Mariners, that will be a difficult hole to climb out of.

Oakland A’s playoff hopes are done for 2021

There is some hope that the A’s can pull off a miracle. The Astros could have the division locked up at the end of the game on Friday and could look to rest players over that final week. The Mariners could fall apart themselves. As long as they are mathematically alive, there is hope.

But realistically, that hope is entirely out the window. The A’s needed to take at least two games from the Mariners in order to have a realistic chance to sneak into the playoffs. As it is, they will probably need to win out while hoping that those three teams above them for the final playoff berth implode.

It is easy to point fingers. Yes, the A’s own implosion for those two weeks at the end of August and the beginning of September put them in this position. Bassitt’s injury and Ramon Laureano‘s suspension were devastating. And yes, the A’s did not do enough in free agency to supplement their core for a realistic playoff push. But there is no point in looking back now. Instead, it is time to look ahead, and figure out how to return to the playoffs in 2022.

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The Oakland A’s are still mathematically alive for a playoff berth. Realistically, however, it is time to look ahead to the 2022 campaign.