Wide World of Women

For the second straight season, the Bob Melvin managed Oakland Athletics are in the postseason as one of the American League's two Wild Cards. Throughout September, the AL Wild Card race was mainly between the Athletics, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Cleveland Indians, and regarding the A's, September was very good to them. Oakland racked up many wins, including blowout wins over the Houston Astros, leading to a postseason berth clinched early in the final week. The Rays capitalized on the decline of the Red Sox and moved in to second place in the AL East, but due to their early hitting woes and their inability to make a dent against the Yankees, second is where they stayed. However, behind hitters such as Austin Meadows and Ji-Man Choi, and the pitching of Charlie Morton, TB got back on track and reached the postseason for the first time since 2013.

Fun fact: In only the Rays' 22nd season of existence, this is their fifth postseason appearance. Their first appearance was their dream season in 2008, where they went all the way to the World Series. The other appearances came in 2010, 2011, and 2013. This is the Rays' second appearance in the AL Wild Card Game; they won in 2013. For the A's, this is their third appearance; they lost each of the last two times. The A's locked in home field in the game on Saturday, but the Rays have the ability to pull off a road upset, especially with Morton pitching.

Prediction: Rays by 3

#1

Rays 5, Athletics 1

Rays advance to ALDS behind Yandy Diaz's two HRs and Charlie Morton's dominant pitching.