For the first four months of the 2014 season, the Oakland Athletics appeared to have already won the A.L. West and simply had to play out the remaining schedule to determine their opponents in the ALDS. The Athletics traded away their top prospect, shortstop Addison Russell, to the Chicago Cubs for starters Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. They then added ace lefty Jon Lester at the non-waiver trade deadline. As July closed out, the Athletics had a record of 66-41 and led the A.L. West by two games over the Los Angeles Angels, but as hot as they were, their lead looked very secure.
From August 1 through September 13, though, the Athletics have a record of 15-25. They have also met up a with red-hot Angels team that has gone 28-12 — including 5-2 with a four-game sweep of the Athletics — in that same span. The Angels hold an 11-game lead in the division as play begins on September 13. One major factor contributing to the Athletics’ downfall is that they traded away slugger Yoenis Cespedes to get Lester.
The Athletics still have a chance at making the postseason, but they will have to do so as a wild-card team. With two spots available, the race is still very tight. As play begins on September 13, here is how the A.L. Wild Card race looks:
| Team | Record | Games Behind |
| Oakland Athletics | 81-66 | +0.5 |
| Kansas City Royals | 80-66 | — |
| Seattle Mariners | 80-66 | — |
Still in the hunt are the Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians, and New York Yankees, but the top three teams will battle for the two positions.
The Athletics and Mariners have two games remaining this weekend, so the pivotal series is crucial for both clubs. Oakland then has a nine-game home stand featuring three games each with the Rangers, Phillies, and Angels. They close the regular season with four at Texas.
Seattle, meanwhile, finishes with Oakland and then goes on an 11-game road trip to the Angels for four, Astros for three, and Blue Jays for four. Seattle ends the regular season with three home games against the Angels.
Kansas City will play two more at home with the Red Sox before hosting the White Sox for three. Following a day off Thursday, the Royals host the Tigers next weekend. The Royals and Tigers are also still fighting for the A.L. Central title, and the Tigers lead by a half game. Kansas City then travels to Cleveland for four — including a completion of the August 31 suspended game as part of a Monday double-header — and finishing the season at the White Sox.
On paper, it looks like Oakland has the advantage. They have the weakest schedule of the three teams, and Seattle has the toughest. However, with the way Oakland has played for the past 40 games, “on paper” does not mean much. Oakland must find its groove now. If the current trends continue, then look for Seattle and Kansas City to win the two wild card spots with Oakland spending October and the entire offseason wondering what happened.
PHOTO CREDIT: Sports Logos.net
