The 2020 MLB postseason begins in a couple hours, and the Oakland A’s have announced their roster for the first round.
The following 28 players will suit up for the best-of-three Wild Card Round against the Chicago White Sox, with all three games set at the Coliseum.
Pitchers | Hitters |
Starters Jesús Luzardo (L) Chris Bassitt (R) Sean Manaea (L) Frankie Montas (R) Mike Fiers (R) Mike Minor (L) Relievers Liam Hendriks (R) Yusmeiro Petit (R) Joakim Soria (R) Jake Diekman (L) T.J. McFarland (L) Lou Trivino (R) J.B. Wendelken (R) |
Catchers Sean Murphy (R) Jonah Heim (S) Infielders Matt Olson (L) Tommy La Stella (L) Marcus Semien (R) Jake Lamb (L) Tony Kemp (L) Vimael Machin (L) Nate Orf (R) Chad Pinder (R) Outfielders Mark Canha (R) Robbie Grossman (S) Ramon Laureano (R) Stephen Piscotty (R) DH: Khris Davis (R) |
There aren’t any surprises on there, as that’s essentially the roster as it stood on the final day of the regular season, except with one fewer pitcher and one more position player. The only change is that J.B. Wendelken was activated from the injured list (Jordan Weems was sent down to make room), but even that is just a return to normalcy as he’d only been out of action for a few days.
In particular, all six starting pitchers are available, even though there won’t be more than three games in the series. Jesús Luzardo and Chris Bassitt will start the first two games, and whoever doesn’t get the call for Game 3 can help out in the bullpen.
In addition, there is no third catcher, despite the extra spots on this year’s expanded 28-man rosters. The A’s have two strong presences in Sean Murphy and Jonah Heim, albeit both are rookies. Heim is a switch-hitter and Murphy is arguably the best hitter on the team right now period, so there’s unlikely to be a pressing need to pinch-hit for either of them. There is, however, an extra infielder and right-handed bench bat, as Nate Orf made the cut after spending the last two weeks of the season in Oakland.
Five members of the A’s squad have histories with their opponent. Bassitt and Marcus Semien came to Oakland in the Sharknado 2 trade that sent Jeff Samardzija to Chicago, while Wendelken was a White Sox farmhand who was dealt to the A’s for Brett Lawrie. Frankie Montas was also once a White Sox prospect, and Joakim Soria played for Chicago in 2018.
Here is the White Sox roster, which also features 13 pitchers like the A’s, but with a third catcher included.
Pitchers | Hitters |
Starters Lucas Giolito (R) Dallas Keuchel (L) Dylan Cease (R) Dane Dunning (R) Relievers Alex Colome (R) Aaron Bummer (L) Jimmy Cordero (R) Garrett Crochet (L) Matt Foster (L) Jace Fry (L) Codi Heuer (R) Evan Marshall (R) Carlos Rodon (R) |
Catchers Yasmani Grandal (S) James McCann (R) Zack Collins (L) Infielders Jose Abreu (R) Nick Madrigal (R) Tim Anderson (R) Yoan Moncada (S) Leury Garcia (S) Yolmer Sanchez (S) DH: Edwin Encarnacion (R) Outfielders Eloy Jimenez (R) Luis Robert (S) Nomar Mazara (L) Jarrod Dyson (L) Adam Engel (R) |