2020 Oakland Athletics season

Last updated

2020  Oakland Athletics
American League West champions
Oakland A's logo.svg
League American League
Division West
Ballpark Oakland Coliseum
City Oakland, California
Record36–24 (.600)
Divisional place1st
Owners John Fisher
General managers David Forst
Managers Bob Melvin
Television NBC Sports California
(Glen Kuiper, Ken Korach, Vince Cotroneo, Ray Fosse, Mark Mulder, Eric Chavez, Shooty Babitt, Dallas Braden)
Radio KNEW (July 30 onward) [1]
(Ken Korach, Vince Cotroneo, Ray Fosse, Coco Crisp)
  2019 Seasons 2021  

The 2020 Oakland Athletics season was the 120th season for the Oakland Athletics franchise, all as members of the American League, and their 53rd season in Oakland. The season saw the Athletics win the American League West for the first time since 2013.

Contents

On March 12, 2020, MLB announced that because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks in addition to the remainder of spring training being cancelled. [2] Four days later, it was announced that the start of the season would be pushed back indefinitely due to the recommendation made by the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for eight weeks. [3] On June 23, commissioner Rob Manfred unilaterally implemented a 60-game season. Players reported to training camps on July 1 in order to resume spring training and prepare for a July 24 Opening Day. [4]

The A's hit two walk-off grand slams in their first 11 games of the season. They became the 17th team to hit two walk-off slams in the same year, the third team to hit two in an 11-game span and the fastest to do so from the start of the season. [5]

On September 21, 2020, the A's clinched the American League West championship and then defeated the Chicago White Sox in three games in the 2020 American League Wild Card Series. This was the A's first postseason series victory since 2006 and won their first winner-take-all postseason game since Game 7 of the 1973 World Series (snapping an MLB record nine-game losing streak in such contests). However, they lost to the Houston Astros in the 2020 American League Division Series.

With the team moving away from Oakland after the 2024 season, and the rename to simply the "Athletics" on November 4, 2024, this was the last time they made the playoffs while based in Oakland.

Offseason

Rule changes

For the 2020 season, MLB instituted several new rule changes including the following: [6]

Further rule changes came into effect in response to the COVID-19 pandemic including the use of the DH in the National League, a shortened schedule, and starting extra innings with a runner at second base. [7]

Regular season

Standings

AL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Oakland Athletics 3624.60022101414
Houston Astros 2931.4837209922
Seattle Mariners 2733.450914101323
Los Angeles Angels 2634.4331016151019
Texas Rangers 2238.367141614624
Division leaders
Team W L Pct.
Tampa Bay Rays 4020.667
Oakland Athletics 3624.600
Minnesota Twins 3624.600
Division 2nd place
Team W L Pct.
Cleveland Indians 3525.583
New York Yankees 3327.550
Houston Astros 2931.483
Wild Card teams
(Top 2 teams qualify for postseason)
Team W L Pct. GB
Chicago White Sox 3525.583+3
Toronto Blue Jays 3228.533
Seattle Mariners 2733.4505
Los Angeles Angels 2634.4336
Kansas City Royals 2634.4336
Baltimore Orioles 2535.4177
Boston Red Sox 2436.4008
Detroit Tigers 2335.3978
Texas Rangers 2238.36710

Record against opponents

TeamHOULAAOAKSEATEXNL
Houston 4–63–77–35–510–10
Los Angeles 6–44–65–54–67–13
Oakland 7–36–46–47–310–10
Seattle 3–75–54–68–27–13
Texas 5–56–43–72–86–14

Game log

2020 Game Log
Total: 36–24 (Home: 21–9; Away: 15–15)
July: 3–4 (Home: 3–3; Away: 0–1)
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveRecordStreak
1July 24 Angels 7–3 (10) Smith (1–0) Robles (0–1)1–0W1
2July 25 Angels 1–4 Bundy (1–0) Manaea (0–1) Robles (1)1–1L1
3July 26 Angels 6–4 Petit (1–0) Ohtani (0–1) Hendriks (1)2–1W1
4July 27 Angels 3–0 Smith (2–0) Canning (0–1) Soria (1)3–1W2
5July 28 Rockies 3–8 Senzatela (1–0) Mengden (0–1)3–2L1
6July 29 Rockies 1–5 Márquez (1–1) Montas (0–1)3–3L2
7July 31@ Mariners 3–5 Walker (1–1) Manaea (0–2) Williams (2)3–4L3
August: 19–8 (Home: 10–1; Away: 9–7)
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveRecordStreak
8August 1@ Mariners 3–2 (10) Soria (1–0) Altavilla (1–1) Hendriks (2)4–4W1
9August 2@ Mariners 3–2 Bassitt (1–0) Graveman (0–2) Hendriks (3)5–4W2
10August 3@ Mariners 11–1 Montas (1–1) Sheffield (0–2)6–4W3
11August 4 Rangers 5–1 Hendriks (1–0) Vólquez (0–1)7–4W4
12August 5 Rangers 6–4 McFarland (1–0) Gibaut (0–1) Soria (2)8–4W5
13August 6 Rangers 6–4 Fiers (1–0) Minor (0–3) Hendriks (4)9–4W6
14August 7 Astros 3–2 (13) Wendelken (1–0) Sneed (0–1)10–4W7
15August 8 Astros 3–1 Montas (2–1) Valdez (0–2) Hendriks (5)11–4W8
16August 9 Astros 7–2 Luzardo (1–0) Javier (1–1) Smith (1)12–4W9
17August 10@ Angels 9–10 Peña (1–0) Petit (1–1) Buttrey (2)12–5L1
18August 11@ Angels 0–6 Bundy (3–1) Fiers (1–1)12–6L2
19August 12@ Angels 8–4 Bassitt (2–0) Canning (0–3)13–6W1
20August 14@ Giants 8–7 (10) Soria (2–0) García (0–1) Hendriks (6)14–6W2
21August 15@ Giants 7–6 McFarland (2–0) Gott (1–1) Hendriks (7)15–6W3
22August 16@ Giants 15–3 Fiers (2–1) Webb (1–2)16–6W4
23August 17@ Diamondbacks 3–4 Crichton (2–0) Soria (2–1)16–7L1
24August 18@ Diamondbacks 1–10 Weaver (1–3) Montas (2–2)16–8L2
25August 19 Diamondbacks 4–1 Luzardo (2–0) Kelly (3–2) Hendriks (8)17–8W1
26August 20 Diamondbacks 5–1 Manaea (1–2) Young (1–1)18–8W2
27August 21 Angels 5–3 Fiers (3–1) Heaney (1–2) Hendriks (9)19–8W3
28August 22 Angels 3–4 Andriese (1–1) Bassitt (2–1) Buttrey (3)19–9L1
29August 23 Angels 5–4 (10) Hendriks (2–0) Buttrey (1–1)20–9W1
30August 24@ Rangers 2–3 Lynn (4–0) Luzardo (2–1) Montero (6)20–10L1
31August 25@ Rangers 10–3 Manaea (2–2) Gibson (1–3)21–10W1
32August 26@ Rangers 3–1 Fiers (4–1) Allard (0–3) Hendriks (10)22–10W2
August 27@ Rangers Postponed (strikes due to shooting of Jacob Blake); Makeup: September 12
August 28@ Astros Postponed (strikes due to Jacob Blake shooting); Makeup: August 29
33August 29 (1)@ Astros 2–4 (7) McCullers Jr. (3–2) Bassitt (2–2) Pressly (5)22–11L1
34August 29 (2)@ Astros 3–6 (7) Greinke (2–0) Montas (2–3) Pressly (6)22–12L2
August 30@ Astros Postponed (COVID-19); Makeup: September 8
September: 14–12 (Home: 8–5; Away: 6–7)
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveRecordStreak
September 1@ Mariners Postponed (COVID-19); Makeup: September 14
September 2@ Mariners Postponed (COVID-19); Makeup: September 14
September 3@ Mariners Postponed (COVID-19); Makeup: September 26
35September 4 Padres 0–7 Davies (6–2) Luzardo (2–2)22–13L3
36September 5 Padres 8–4 Manaea (3–2) Paddack (3–4)23–13W1
37September 6 Padres 3–5 Richards (2–2) Fiers (4–2) Rosenthal (8)23–14L1
38September 7 Astros 6–0 Bassitt (3–2) Javier (4–2)24–14W1
39September 8 (1)@ Astros 4–2 (7) Montas (3–3) Greinke (3–1) Hendriks (11)25–14W2
40September 8 (2) Astros 4–5 (7) Paredes (2–2) Wendelken (1–1) Pressly (8)25–15L1
41September 9 Astros 3–2 Hendriks (3–0) Pressly (1–2)26–15W1
42September 10 Astros 3–1 Manaea (4–2) Urquidy (0–1) Hendriks (12)27–15W2
43September 11@ Rangers 10–6 Fiers (5–2) García (0–2)28–15W3
44September 12 (1)@ Rangers 2–5 (7) Benjamin (1–0) Jefferies (0–1) Montero (8)28–16L1
45September 12 (2)@ Rangers 10–1 Bassitt (4–2) Allard (0–6)29–16W1
46September 13@ Rangers 3–6 Lynn (6–2) Montas (3–4)29–17L1
47September 14 (1)@ Mariners 5–6 (7) Gonzales (6–2) Soria (2–2) Hirano (2)29–18L2
48September 14 (2)@ Mariners 9–0 (7) Minor (1–5) Yacabonis (0–1)30–18W1
49September 15@ Rockies 1–3 Senzatela (4–2) Manaea (4–3)30–19L1
50September 16@ Rockies 3–1 Fiers (6–2) Márquez (2–6) Hendriks (13)31–19W1
51September 18 Giants 6–0 Bassitt (5–2) Webb (2–4)32–19W2
52September 19 Giants 6–0 Luzardo (3–2) Gausman (3–3)33–19W3
53September 20 Giants 2–14 Anderson (3–3) Minor (1–6)33–20L1
54September 22@ Dodgers 2–7 May (2–1) Montas (3–5)33–21L2
55September 23@ Dodgers 6–4 Diekman (1–0) Treinen (3–3) Hendriks (14)34–21W1
56September 24@ Dodgers 1–5 Floro (3–0) Fiers (6–3)34–22L1
57September 25 Mariners 3–1 (10) Diekman (2–0) Gerber (1–1)35–22W1
58September 26 (1) Mariners 1–5 (8) Graveman (1–3) Hendriks (3–1)35–23L1
59September 26 (2)@ Mariners 3–12 (7) Dunn (4–1) Blackburn (0–1)35–24L2
60September 27 Mariners 6–2 Petit (2–1) Hirano (0–1)36–24W1
Legend:       = Win       = Loss       = Postponement
Bold = Athletics team member

Roster

2020 Oakland Athletics
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Other batters

Manager

Coaches

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases; BB = Walks; AVG = Batting average; SLG = Slugging average

PlayerGABRH2B3BHRRBISBBBAVGSLG
Marcus Semien 53211284791723425.223.374
Matt Olson 602102841411442134.195.424
Mark Canha 591913247122533437.246.408
Ramón Laureano 54183273981625224.213.366
Robbie Grossman 511662340122823821.241.482
Stephen Piscotty 4515917366052949.226.358
Matt Chapman 37142223392102508.232.535
Sean Murphy 43116212750714024.233.457
Tommy La Stella 2797162862111012.289.423
Tony Kemp 499315235004315.247.301
Khris Davis 308591750210010.200.329
Vimael Machín 24631113200008.206.238
Chad Pinder 2456813302805.232.393
Jake Lamb 1345512403902.267.556
Jonah Heim 133858000503.211.211
Austin Allen 143116101301.194.323
Franklin Barreto 151050000000.000.000
Nate Orf 6710000000.000.000
Seth Brown 7500000000.000.000
Team Totals60190827443091117126426238.225.396

Source:

Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerWLERAGGSSVIPHRERBBSO
Chris Bassitt 522.291111063.05618161755
Mike Fiers 634.581111059.06531301637
Jesús Luzardo 324.12129059.05827271759
Sean Manaea 434.501111054.0573227845
Frankie Montas 355.601111053.05735332360
Liam Hendriks 311.782401425.11465337
J. B. Wendelken 111.80210025.017851131
Lou Trivino 003.86200023.11610101026
Joakim Soria 222.82220222.118871024
Yusmeiro Petit 211.66260021.21944517
Mike Minor 115.4854021.1151313727
Jake Diekman 200.42210021.18211231
T. J. McFarland 204.35230020.226101059
Jordan Weems 003.2190014.01055718
Daniel Mengden 013.6541012.11455710
Burch Smith 202.2560112.0733113
James Kaprielian 007.362003.243324
Paul Blackburn 0127.001102.157722
Daulton Jeffries 0122.501102.055521
Team Totals36243.77606017515.1471232216165506

Source:

Postseason

Game log

2020 Postseason Game Log: 3–4
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveRecap
1September 29 White Sox 1–4 Giolito (1–0) Luzardo (0–1) Colomé (1) 0–1
2September 30 White Sox 5–3 Bassitt (1–0) Keuchel (0–1) Diekman (1) 1–1
3October 1 White Sox 6–4 Montas (1–0) Marshall (0–1) Hendriks (1) 2–1
#DateOpponentScoreWinLossSaveRecap
1October 5 Astros 5–10 Taylor (1–0) Wendelken (0–1) 0–1
2October 6 Astros 2–5 Valdez (1–0) Manaea (0–1) Pressly (1) 0–2
3October 7@ Astros 9–7 Hendriks (1–0) Raley (0–1) 1–2
4October 8@ Astros 6–11 Javier (1–0) Montas (0–1) 1–3
all games played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA

Wild Card Series

The A's hosted the Chicago White Sox at the Oakland Coliseum in the Wild Card series.

Game 1

Rookie left hander Jesús Luzardo got the ball for Game 1 against White Sox ace Lucas Giolito. Outfielder Adam Engel got the scoring started with a solo home run. MVP candidate José Abreu added a 2-run home run. Meanwhile, Giolito carried a perfect game into the 7th inning before giving up a leadoff single to Tommy La Stella. Giolito would end up going 7+ innings, allowing 1 run. Yasmani Grandal added a solo home run in the 8th. A's outfielder Ramón Laureano grounded into a force play to make it 4–1 before White Sox closer Álex Colomé shut the door in the 9th inning.

Game 2

A's ace Chris Bassitt got the ball for Game 2 against White Sox lefty Dallas Keuchel. The A's got ahead early with an fielding error from White Sox 2nd baseman Nick Madrigal that scored 2 runs. A's shortstop Marcus Semien added a 2-run home run in the 2nd and A's DH Khris Davis added a solo home run in the 4th inning, chasing Keuchel from the game after 3+13. Bassitt would pitch 7+13, allowing 1 run. Grandal hit his 2nd home run of the series off A's closer Liam Hendriks and Grandal would bring in a run via a bases loaded walk. Diekman replaced Hendriks and got Jose Abreu to ground out to tie the series and send the series to a winner-take-all Game 3.

Game 3

The A's sent out right hander Mike Fiers, while the White Sox counted with righty Dane Dunning. The White Sox struck first on a monster home run from rookie Luis Robert. The White Sox added two more runs in the 3rd inning on an RBI single from Robert and an RBI double from Nomar Mazara. The A's got back into the game with a 2-run home run from rookie catcher Sean Murphy, then back 2 back bases loaded walks gave the A's the lead, 4–3. The White Sox tied the game on an RBI single from Mazara. The A's added insurance in the 6th with a 2-run single from utility player Chad Pinder. A's closer Liam Hendriks, who threw 49 pitches in Game 2, pitched around a leadoff single from White Sox catcher James McCann, striking out Yoan Moncada, Robert & Mazara to send the A's to the ALDS against the Houston Astros.

ALDS

The A's lost to their division rivals, the Houston Astros in the ALDS.

Game 1

The A's announced that ace Chris Bassitt would get the ball for Game 1 against right hander Lance McCullers Jr. A's DH Khris Davis got the scoring started with a 2-run home run in the 2nd inning, followed by a Sean Murphy solo shot in the 3rd inning. The Astros responded with a solo home run from Alex Bregman and a game-tying home run from Carlos Correa in the top of the 4th. The A's responded quickly with a solo shot from Matt Olson to put the A's back in front, 4–3. A Mark Canha sacrifice fly extended the A's lead to 5–3. Both starters went 4 innings. The Astros took the lead in the 6th inning when Josh Reddick reached on a fielding error with 2 outs, Martín Maldonado singled, George Springer doubled in Reddick, Jose Altuve doubled in both Maldonado & Springer & Michael Brantley singled in Altuve to make it 7–5. Correa hit his 2nd home run of the game to make it 8–5. The Astros broke it open in the 9th inning with a Correa RBI single & a Yuli Gurriel sacrifice fly. Ryan Pressly worked a 1-2-3 9th inning to seal the Game 1 victory for the Astros.

Game 2

Left handed pitcher Sean Manaea will get the ball, he will be opposed by Astros lefty Framber Valdez. A's DH Khris Davis hit another home run to give the A's the lead in the 2nd inning. The Astros fought back and took the lead when George Springer hit a 2-run home run. The Astros added another run on an RBI groundout. The A's would strike back with a Chad Pinder solo home run in the 4th inning. Martín Maldonado & Springer went back-to-back in the 5th inning. Both pitching staffs then held the game scoreless after that. With Astros closer Ryan Pressly picking up the save, the A's were put in an 0–2 ALDS hole.

Game 3

Astros manager Dusty Baker announced that right hander José Urquidy will get the ball for Game 3, while the A's will give the ball to lefty Jesús Luzardo. A's second baseman Tommy La Stella got the scoring started with a solo home run in the first inning. The Astros responded with a solo home run from Jose Altuve and an RBI groundout to take the lead. The A's responded again with a solo home run from left fielder Mark Canha. The A's took the lead in the 4th inning on an Olson solo home run. The A's would add another home run with a Marcus Semien solo shot. The Astros tied it in the bottom of the 5th inning with an Aledmys Díaz 2-run home run. The Astros would regain the lead with a Michael Brantley RBI single, an Alex Bregman RBI double and a Kyle Tucker RBI single. The A's would tie in the top of the 7th on a Pinder 3-run home run. The A's would add two sacrifice flies in the 8th inning to cap the scoring. A's closer Liam Hendriks pitched 3 scoreless innings to save the A's season and send the series to a Game 4.

Game 4

The A's started Frankie Montas while the Astros started Zack Greinke. A's outfielder Ramón Laureano got the scoring started with a 3-run home run. The Astros responded in the 4th inning with a 2-run home run from Astros DH Michael Brantley and a 3-run home run from Astros shortstop Carlos Correa. The A's responded in the 5th inning with another home run from Laureano that chased Greinke from the game. Lefty Blake Taylor came in and got the final out of the 5th inning. In the bottom of the 5th, Brantley hit his 2nd home run of the game and Correa added an RBI single to make it 7–4 Astros. In the 6th inning, Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker added an RBI single followed by another single for Correa that made it 9–4. Astros 2nd baseman Jose Altuve hit a 2-run home run to make it 11–4 Astros. Astros pitcher Cristian Javier pitched 2+13 scoreless innings. A's shortstop Marcus Semien got an RBI single & A's 2nd baseman Tommy La Stella singled in Semien before Astros closer then shut the door in the 9th inning to send the Astros to the ALCS and eliminate the A's

Postseason rosters

Playoff rosters

Farm system

LevelTeamLeagueManager
AAA Las Vegas Aviators Pacific Coast League
AA Midland RockHounds Texas League
A-Advanced Stockton Ports California League
A Beloit Snappers Midwest League
A-Short Season Vermont Lake Monsters New York–Penn League
Rookie AZL Athletics Arizona League
Rookie DSL Athletics Dominican Summer League

Notes

    References

    1. "Oakland A's Drop TuneIn as Radio Flagship; to Move to iHeartRadio App & 960 KNEW".
    2. Mark Feinsand (March 12, 2020). "Opening Day delayed at least 2 weeks; Spring Training games cancelled". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
    3. "Opening of regular season to be pushed back". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. March 16, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
    4. Feinsand, Mark (June 24, 2020). "Play Ball: MLB announces 2020 regular season". MLB.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
    5. Kawahara, Matt (August 5, 2020). "A's two walk-off grand slams in 11 games: How rare is it?". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
    6. "Report: Single-trade deadline, 26-man roster, 3-batter minimum among changes in next 2 years". masslive. March 14, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
    7. Daniels, Tim. "MLB Rules, Format Changes for 60-Game 2020 Season Due to COVID-19". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 24, 2020.