The Oakland A’s were unable to battle back from a disastrous two week stretch that say them drop out of the postseason. While they attempted to battle back, that deficit was just too much. Add in their inability to beat the Mariners, and the A’s were on the outside looking in.
While the season ended in disappointment, no one can blame Frankie Montas. The A’s pitcher saved his best for last as he was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for September.
Take a bow, 47.@FrankieMontas is your AL Pitcher of the Month. pic.twitter.com/i3AdvuqlZa
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) October 4, 2021
Frankie Montas gave Oakland A’s everything he had
Montas did his best when the A’s needed him most. He finished September with a 3-0 record, posting a 2.19 ERA and a 1.108 WHiP over his 37 innings, striking out 40 batters with 15 walks. The A’s needed someone to step up after Chris Bassitt was injured, and Montas did just that.
The 2021 season was an important one for Montas. He seemingly had his breakout campaign in 2019, but was lost for the second half of the season due to a PED suspension. After an inconsistent 2020 season, he needed to prove that he could be someone that the A’s could count on.
Montas did exactly that. He finished the year with a solid 3.37 ERA and a 1.182 WHiP over his 187 innings, striking out 207 batters with 57 walks. Those numbers were good enough to be in the top five in the AL in innings, ERA, strikeouts, and wins, making it possible that he could pick up a stray Cy Young vote.
However, that does not mean that his future in Oakland is assured. Montas is one of the 11 players who are eligible for arbitration, forcing the A’s to make some difficult decisions about their payroll and roster. While he finally had that breakout season, the A’s may just be more interested in how that improves his return.
Frankie Montas did everything he could to drag the Oakland A’s into the postseason. He was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for his efforts.