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Good morning afternoon, Athletics Nation!
Two Oakland A’s story lines from last week had further developments over the weekend.
The A’s instructional league camp was shut down last week due to a positive coronavirus test, but they were able to resume operations on Saturday, reports Bill Moriarity of Athletics Farm. However, the schedule of inter-squad games will not be extended past its planned ending on Oct. 30 to help make up any lost playing time.
Meanwhile, the A’s received praise for retaining over 90% of their baseball operations staff, a rate far higher than some other clubs — especially after a tough financial year, and looking ahead to some possible contraction in the lower levels of the minors. However, there were more job cuts reported over the weekend by Susan Slusser of the S.F. Chronicle, including around 30% of their business operations staff (roughly 60 positions, which were already on furlough). Slusser points out other clubs on both ends of the spectrum in terms of employee termination rate, both higher and lower than what the A’s have done this year.
World Series update
We might just have another classic on our hands. So far the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays have alternated wins, with the Dodgers currently up 3-2 entering Game 6 on Tuesday (after an off-day today).
In Game 3, Charlie Morton’s postseason magic ran out for a night and the Dodgers jumped on him early. The Rays never recovered against Walker Buehler, who struck out 10 in a 6-2 victory. Recaps: Dodgers | Rays
In Game 4, the Dodgers were about to take a commanding lead in the series, but a wild comeback by the Rays plated two runs in the 9th to walk it off 8-7. The winning run scored on one of the most excitingly odd plays in history (see more below), and goes down as an instant classic. Recaps: Rays | Dodgers | Nico
In Game 5, Los Angeles got back on track, as Clayton Kershaw put up another strong start in a quiet 4-2 win. Recaps: Dodgers | Rays
Here’s the remaining schedule (all times Pacific, all TV broadcasts on Fox):
- Game 1: Dodgers win, 8-3
- Game 2: Rays win, 6-4
- Game 3: Dodgers win, 6-2
- Game 4: Rays win, 8-7
- Game 5: Dodgers win, 4-2
- Game 6: Tue, Oct. 27, 5 p.m.
- Game 7: Wed, Oct. 28, 5 p.m.
It’ll be Blake Snell (visiting Rays) vs. Tony Gonsolin (home Dodgers) in Game 6. Here are seven key story lines, plus all the FAQ info you need.
Arozarena play
If you didn’t see the classic play at the end of Game 4, then dang, here’s what you missed.
Joe Buck crushed that call, amidst chaos.
— Seth Wickersham (@SethWickersham) October 25, 2020
pic.twitter.com/ptgEOkatYL
Still frames
this is the man who scored the winning run.
— Michael Clair (@michaelsclair) October 25, 2020
baseball, man pic.twitter.com/GPntY0QzEc
High praise
I can't believe what I just saw.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 25, 2020
Enjoying the moment
Omg Brett Phillips running around the field is
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) October 25, 2020
This is the kind of role-player moment I thought Tony Kemp could have if the A’s had made it to the Series
Brett Phillips: "I'd like to extend some advice to all the kids out there. Keep dreaming big."
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) October 25, 2020
You can also click here to relive the play at DRaysBay.
A’s Coverage
- Slusser: A’s cut business staff by about 30%, citing uncertainty amid coronavirus pandemic ($)
- Kawahara: Will A.J. Puk finally join A’s rotation in 2021? The group has big potential ($)
- Adams: The A’s Have Some Tough Qualifying Offer Decisions
- Johnson: Muncy believes A’s release helped turn him into Dodgers star
- AN: Liam Hendriks named 2020 AL Reliever of the Year
MLB News & Interest
- Yoo: Mission accomplished: how Dan Straily became the best version of himself in KBO
- Adams: Hirokazu Sawamura Has Drawn Interest From MLB Clubs
- Polishuk: 2021 Managerial Search Tracker
- Berry: Arozarena owns playoff hits, HR records
- McCalvy: K is for Kershaw: New playoff strikeout king
- Simon, et al: Playoff records fall in G5: 12 facts to know
- Monagan: Kershaw’s kids adorably interrupt Zoom
- Today in Baseball History
Best of Twitter
Look for a full post on AN later today about the coaching staff
Per sources, A's third base coach Al Pedrique will not be returning in 2021. Pedrique said he was "surprised" by this news, given that the A's finished the year with a Fld% of .987, fourth-best in AL, but was told they'd like to give someone else within the organization a chance.
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) October 23, 2020
Great point in Lockard’s last sentence here, last seen in the Wild Card Series in Games 2 and 3
Liam Hendriks as the AL’s top reliever was an easy call. Nails all season. My favorite part of his game as that whenever he has a rare poor outing, he rebounds with his best stuff in his next outing.
— Melissa Lockard (@melissalockard) October 24, 2020
The Dodgers are now up to 9 players homering, setting a new record
Joc Pederson is the 8th different Dodgers player to homer in this World Series, tying the 1989 A’s for the most different players to hit a HR for a team in a single World Series
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 26, 2020
That kind of movement on 100 mph just isn’t fair
Dustin May, Filthy 100mph Two Seamer (with Tail). pic.twitter.com/bE0IN8LEyQ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 26, 2020
Treinen’s turbo sinker isn’t fair either
Blake Treinen, 98mph Sinker (with Tail) pic.twitter.com/g9Fj07fWD2
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 26, 2020
Sigh
Yep, totally looks like a ball #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/JAnZqweEq1
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) October 25, 2020
Old-timey photo alert!
The Mission District in San Francisco has its own Pacific Coast League team. Always excited to find a new photo in the @sfchronicle archive.
— Peter Hartlaub (@peterhartlaub) October 24, 2020
Mission Reds outfielders Clyde Beck and Al Wright in 1936.
( : Associated Press) pic.twitter.com/H9lUQ9jsSK
Nailed it
He's in there looking for the Astros' trophy. https://t.co/KgLsClT3yx
— Kalama Hines ✊ ✊ ✊ ✊ ✊ (@HINESight_2020) October 26, 2020