When a team is missing from the postseason for 29 years, it builds up a little karmic oomph. And so the Kansas City Royals, producing a series of minor miracles throughout their 12-inning struggle with the Oakland Athletics, live to play another series. They earned every bit of this one.
Down 7-3 in the eighth inning, the Royals scored three runs, then tied the game in the bottom of the ninth. After falling behind 8-7 in the 12th inning, they rallied for two runs in bottom half for a 9-8 win and a trip to the American League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Angels.
The game lasted nearly five hours. It was the Royals’ first postseason game since they won the 1985 World Series. And it marked another calamitous failure by the A’s, who lost 30 of their last 46 games before backing into the wild-card round. The A’s haven’t won a playoff series since 2006.
Perhaps there will be similar drama on Wednesday night in the National League one-and-done eliminator in Pittsburgh, where the Pirates meet the San Francisco Giants. The Pirates snapped a 21-year playoff drought last season and have returned again to the delight of the locals, who staged a pep rally on Tuesday in honor of what they’re calling Buctober.
Today’s question
Can Giants-Pirates possibly live up to the standard set by A’s-Royals?
Answers in the comment box, please.
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .
Money-Saving Tips For Lowering Your APR
-
The Bears got Claypool in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick. This week, the Pittsburgh Steelers cut a deal...
-
Belichick has cycled through several players in search of the right one. Recently, the New England Patriots have been...
-
The field needs new posts after overzealous fans dumped the old ones in the river. Over the weekend, the...
-
Hutchinson grew up idolizing the Patriots and Tom Brady. This Sunday, the Detroit Lions are scheduled to take on...
-
Judge has broken Babe Ruth’s record and tied with Roger Maris. Last week, New York Yankees center fielder and...
-
Judge is one homer away from beating the Bambino’s record. Babe Ruth, AKA The Great Bambino, AKA The Sultan...
-
Trout is one homer off from an MLB record. Last night, the Los Angeles Angels played the Cleveland Guardians....
-
Jones spoke about the new offense at their training camp. The New England Patriots are currently in the midst...
-
A fight broke out on the last day of joint practice. Thursday was the last day of joint practice...
-
Donaldson clinched the game for his team in extra innings. Wednesday night saw a major nail-biter game between the...
-
The Yankees have landed two impressive players from the Oakland Athletics. The New York Yankees, superstars of the American...
-
NFL+ offers game coverage for $4.99 a month. Following suit with other companies and brands establishing their own streaming...