Athletics Ready to 'Tough-Up' Tough Road Ahead

BY MELISSA ZIELINSKI

Despite having the toughest schedule out of the 14-15 baseball teams still in the playoff race (based on A’s team’s to face winning-percentages), a rookie-loaded starting rotation and injuries that include starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy’s emergency brain surgery the Oakland Athletics have kept relevant.

Boasting a 14-5 road record since August, being ‘streaky’ by compiling a nine-game and six-game win streak in August and September and having one of the best bullpens in baseball have all contributed to Oakland’s argument.

When crunch time began in the middle of August it looked as if Oakland had a long road ahead. Yet they’ve made strides since that have often kept fans on the edge of there seats, but confident at the same time.

Maybe it was the dramatic exit of McCarthy during a game against the Angels in early September? (Though his condition was critical, he’s often let fans know he was ‘okay’ with entertaining “tweets” on his Twitter account).

Or maybe it was the total runs Oakland hitters were able to tally after playing separate series against the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox? In those two series the A’s outscored their opponents by a combined 47 runs.

Whatever the case, Oakland’s success hasn’t only been a good feeling for fans, but for their own momentum too as they head into the final weeks of the regular season.

But it’s still a tough road ahead for the green and gold.

After nearly sweeping the O’s, Oakland will face the Detroit Tigers during the week (they lost to the Tigers in the series opener Tuesday 12-2) before a three-game set with the New York Yankees this weekend.

While the bombers have often coasted to October they have found themselves knee-deep in a fight for first with a surprising foe and even more surprising division-rival this season Baltimore.

As the possibility of being dethroned by the Orioles looms, a team who’s only been in the postseason three times in the last 29 years (1983 World Series champs and two back-to-back losses in the American League Championship Series in 1996, 1997) the Yankees will certainly not be coasting this September.

Then comes the most important series of the season, one against the division-rival Texas Rangers.

Currently Texas holds only a half game lead on first place in the American League West. Next week's four-game set could very well determine who’ll be taking first and who’ll be headed to a one-game, winner takes all, Wildcard game against Baltimore, New York, LA or whatever team clinches a Wildcard spot

If the A’s can keep pace with the Rangers and continue to produce similar results as they have thus far, fans may be looking at a new division champ for the first time since 2006.

Oakland’s 2006 season was also the last time they made it to October.

It’s a tough road ahead, but if the Athletics can show resiliency as they have through the past six weeks, the pavement may find itself just a bit smoother.