Even with the season winding down, the Athletics still have a few bats that need to wake up before this Blue Jays series is over. A flat finish would do more than just close out a lost year badly - it could also make the offseason picture a lot murkier for a few players trying to prove they belong.
Jonah Heim is first on that list. With Shea Langeliers now potentially able to return and finish the season, Heim needs to make a strong push of his own.
His future with the team is uncertain, but a big final stretch would help if he has any chance at landing a lucrative contract this offseason. Right now, though, the production has disappeared.
Over the last seven days, Heim is hitting .125 with a .452 OPS, and that kind of line has made it tough for the Athletics to get anything consistent out of the lower part of the order. Nobody expected him to carry the offense like an All-Star catcher, but he does need to stop being a drag on it.
Lawrence Butler is in a different spot, but the Athletics need the same kind of spark from him. His overall post-break numbers have been strong - .271 with an .816 OPS, plus a team-high eight home runs and 30 RBIs - and that’s been a huge reason he’s been the club’s X-factor since the break.
Lately, though, that version of Butler has gone quiet. In his last seven games, he’s batting .179 with a .493 OPS.
If he can rediscover the form he had a week ago, the Athletics should have a much easier time closing this series out. When Butler is rolling, along with Henry Bolte and Jeff McNeil, the lineup looks dangerous.
That hasn’t shown up in this series yet.
Tommy White is the third name who needs to deliver on Wednesday. He’s just back from a minor injury, and the Athletics could use his bat to steady an offense that’s been too inconsistent for comfort.
A four-hit night is probably too much to ask, but a productive showing would go a long way toward helping reset things. Unlike Heim and Butler, White is also fighting for his place next season.
A strong finish could be enough to put him on the Athletics’ roster next year instead of the Aviators’ roster, which is clearly the goal he’s chasing.
In Other News...
A's Let A Winnable Game Slip As Kotsay Debate Grows
A game that looked there for the taking slipped away, and with it came a fresh round of attention on the Athletics dugout choices. The bullpen, which has been one of the steadier parts of the club lately, again did its job in support, with Chris Roycroft and Geoff Hartlieb covering important multi-inning stretches while the As tried to keep the contest within reach.
Donovan Walton still gave Oakland something to build on with a useful offensive night, a reminder of why his versatility matters on a roster that can use help in a lot of places. But when a winnable series game turns on the late innings and the managers decisions become part of the postgame discussion, it adds another layer to a team already sorting out how to make the most of its pitching mix and bench pieces. [Read more 🡒]
As Deliver One Of Their Best Pitching Wins At Perfect Time
A day after leaning on their arms, the Athletics got exactly the kind of clean, confidence-building win they can use in a tight stretch of the schedule. Brady Basso helped set the tone in a 2-0 victory over the Blue Jays in the final game of the series, and the bullpen carried it from there, combining to shut out Toronto while Henry Bolte provided the only offense.
For a club trying to stack meaningful wins, the timing mattered almost as much as the result. Elvis Alvarado handled the late inning to close it out, and now the As get a day off before opening a series against the Mariners, with a recent pitching performance like this offering a useful marker for what they can be when the game stays in front of them. [Read more 🡒]
As Final Stretch Could Shape More Than Just Draft Position
The final weeks have become about more than just the standings for the Athletics, who are still trying to steer clear of 100 losses while squeezing every bit of development they can out of the roster. With the season winding down, the club is also keeping an eye on pieces that could matter beyond September, including Shea Langeliers, whose next step is tied to a minor league tuneup and a possible role back in the lineup soon.
Front-office timing may matter just as much as the on-field finish. Oakland is staring at a potentially shortened offseason if the MLB lockout cuts into the usual window for free agency and trades, which could make leadership decisions more urgent than normal. If the A's want to get a jump on roster building, the search for a new general manager may need to move quickly. [Read more 🡒]