I’m already beginning to dread the 2028 season, given what seems to happen every 7 years. The difference between 2014 and 2021? The 2014 A’s started their free fall with a bigger cushion, having spent the first half of the season with MLB’s best record. So their sad crawl off a cliff to the finish line still netted them the second wild card spot.
Your 2021 A’s were also buyers at the deadline and had a great end of July shopping spree. Armed with the electric Starling Marte, the versatile Josh Harrison, the powerful Yan Gomes, and “instantly your best LH reliever” Andrew Chafin, Oakland took off.