MLB: A Retrospective Of October 2020, ALWC (CHW/OAK)
(originally written October 2020)
Wild Card Round Matchups: TOR/TB CHW/OAK HOU/MIN NYY/CLE MIL/LAD CIN/ATL MIA/CHC STL/SD
Division Series Matchups: NYY/TB HOU/OAK SD/LAD MIA/ATL
Championship Series Matchups: HOU/TB ATL/LAD
World Series Matchup: TB/LAD
* hover over image for description
Despite throwing a pressure-packed 49 pitches just the day before, Melvin turned to Hendriks once more to close out Game 3. Showing NO decline in his stuff, Hendriks struck out the side following a leadoff single by DH James McCann. Final: Athletics 6, White Sox 4.
The slugging #7 seed White Sox, for a time, threatened to win the AL Central before settling for third place; MVP candidate Jose Abreu led the way. #2 seed Oakland hasn't advanced past the first round in 14 years and has been knocked out of successive Wild Card Games—they're hungrier than ever. Who will be left standing in the end?
Much was made of Chicago's 14-0 record vs. LHP in 2020. Their opposing starter in Game 1? A's LHP Jesus Luzardo, who served up homers to Adam Engel (2nd inning) and Jose Abreu (pictured; 3rd inning) to fall behind 3-0.