Can the Rays go to Houston and take down the Astros? Buster and Keith Law discuss that after reacting to the triumphant return of Yandy Diaz, Charlie Morton's strong start and Oakland's stumble in another winner-take-all game (14:57). Plus, Sarah Langs and "The Numbers Game" (41:13).
Yandy Diaz slugged baseball's lowest spender into a matchup with mighty Houston, Charlie Morton silenced the powerful Athletics on the mound, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Oakland at its own game 5-1 in the AL wild-card round Wednesday night.
In the year of the long ball, Tampa Bay hit four home runs -- two by Yandy Diaz -- for a wild-card win and a date with Houston in the American League Division Series.
Buster speaks to Susan Slusser ahead of tonight's winner-take all AL Wild Card game to discuss Oakland's decision to start Sean Manaea, the crazy crowd expected and how the A's have learned from last year's mistakes.
A top reliever melts down, a young star emerges and one team moves on. With that, Buster welcomes Dave Schoenfield to break down the wild NL Wild Card game that was (11:05). Then, ESPN's Matt Vasgersian talks about the crazy atmosphere expected for tonight's AL Wild Card (27:11) and Susan Sussman of the San Fransisco Chronicle (34:53) and Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times (39:20) preview tonight's A's/Rays showdown. Plus, "Hembo Knows" (43:50).
Tim Kurkjian shares the behind-the-scenes stories of some of the wildest games, moments and characters in MLB postseason history. This week: the 1970s and '80s.
The NL wild-card game had drama, memorable moments and (of course) home runs. Will the AL game be able to deliver the same?
Wild-card foes Oakland and Tampa Bay are showing that you don't have to spend huge money to be successful. Here's how they've done it.
Manager Bob Melvin announced that Sean Manaea will take the mound for the A's to start the wild-card game against the Rays and Charlie Morton.
Can the Dodgers win their first title since 1988? Or will the Astros, Yankees or Twins finish off 100-plus-win seasons with a World Series trophy? Our experts make their postseason picks.
The Astros, Yankees and Dodgers clearly were up to the task all season, but which teams were pleasant surprises and which ones disappointed?
As teams start the quest for World Series glory, we've got inside intel, odds for every series and names to know to get you set for the postseason.
Balls have been leaving the yard at record rates all season long. Here's what that means for the postseason.
Kyle Seager hit a two-run homer in the first inning, promising prospect Kyle Lewis added an RBI single and the Seattle Mariners closed out the season with a 3-1 win over the playoff-bound Oakland Athletics on Sunday.
Sorting through the playoff field, we asked our experts to predict how this October will unfold and which postseason heroes will emerge.
Ramon Laureano hit a solo home run in the third inning and the Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 1-0 on Saturday night, clinching home-field advantage for the American League wild-card game.
The Oakland Athletics wrapped up a playoff spot before the first pitch, then missed a chance to move closer to hosting next week's AL wild-card game when closer Liam Hendriks gave up two runs in the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners...
Playoff positioning, awards arguments, statistical titles -- they're all coming down to the wire. Here are the MLB matchups to watch.
The Rays and Athletics both clinched playoff berths as the American League wild cards on Friday, leaving the Indians on the outside looking in.
Felix Hernandez pitched 5 1/3 innings in likely his final start with the Seattle Mariners after 15 seasons, but it was the Oakland Athletics moving to the brink of clinching an AL wild-card berth with a 3-1 win on Thursday night.
Matt Chapman hit a two-run homer with one out in the ninth inning and the Oakland Athletics boosted their playoff chances, rallying past the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 on Wednesday night.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 107 | 55 | .660 | - | W3 |
| Oakland | 97 | 65 | .599 | 10 | L1 |
| Texas | 78 | 84 | .481 | 29 | W2 |
| Los Angeles | 72 | 90 | .444 | 35 | L3 |
| Seattle | 68 | 94 | .420 | 39 | W1 |
