The Oakland A’s playoff rotation had been starting to fall into place. When Chris Bassitt was given the ball on Friday, his next scheduled turn through the rotation would coincide with the A’s second game in the first round of the playoffs. Given his performance this year as Oakland’s most consistent starter, it is a well deserved start.
Likewise, Sean Manaea‘s start on Wednesday would seemingly put him in line for the first game of the postseason. It would be a chance for redemption for Manaea – he had started the A’s Wild Card Game in 2019 and allowed four runs, including three homers, in just two innings in Oakland’s eventual loss.