Postseason Rooting Guide for A’s Fans

Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; General view of the MLB Postseason logo in the dugout prior to the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Oakland Athletics at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Just because the A’s season is over, doesn’t mean baseball season is over. Personally, I haven’t watched any baseball since Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love the sport. October is the most exciting month for baseball, and even though the A’s aren’t playing, there’s still plenty to cheer for. Baseball is no fun if you don’t care who wins, so without further ado, here we go.

*Note: This guide only represents who I want  to win not who I think will win.

ALDS Series 1: Tigers vs. Orioles

This one is pretty difficult for A’s fans. After what’s happened in the ALDS in the last two years, it’s pretty hard to root for the Tigers. But at the same time, the whole Manny Machado incident earlier this year makes it impossible to root for him. Best-case scenario here is that the Orioles win the series, so we don’t have to suffer watching the Tigers play in the ALCS again. ALCS Tigers, even going back to 2006, triggers all sorts of bad memories for A’s fans.

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Other than Machado, it’s hard to find problems with the Orioles. Adam Jones is a likeable person, and the team has gone over 30 years without a World Series appearance.

Go Orioles, except for Machado. I hope he falls on his face in their postgame celebration.

ALDS Series 2: Royals vs. Angels

Although some A’s fans will have problems rooting for the team that just eliminated them, there shouldn’t be much argument here. The Angels, especially with their stupid light wave and the even worse C.J. Wilson, are absolutely despicable. The Royals are a genuinely exciting team to watch, so keeping them around longer is a good thing.

Disclaimer: I’m not of the belief that watching the Royals win makes the A’s look good. That WAY oversimplifies things and logically just doesn’t make sense. Different teams match up very differently against one another, so who knows what would have happened if the A’s advanced.

Go Royals, even though there may be too many beach balls on the field to actually play a game.

NLDS Series 1: Giants vs. Nationals

Do I really need to say anything here? Unless you own one of the worst hats ever created, this is kind of a gimmie for A’s fans. The only thing I’ll say about this is that I hope Tim Hudson throws a perfect game, because he’s awesome. Other than that, let’s just hope the Nats win the other three.

Go Nats. Please Baseball Gods, don’t let that “even year” thing mean something.

NLDS Series 2: Cardinals vs. Dodgers

This one’s a little tougher. While it’d be nice to see the Dodgers advance just to anger Giants fans, I’d have to go with the Cardinals here. I don’t normally like rooting for postseason juggernauts, but I’m making the exception just because Pat Neshek is on the team. That dude is impossible to root against. I’m not crazy about anyone else on that team, but after what he did in Oakland last year just after his son passed away was unbelievable. He’s had great success this year for the Cardinals, and I hope they win just for him.

So if things go according to plan, the matchups would be:

AlCS: Royals vs. Orioles

NLCS:Cardinals vs. Nationals

Here I’d want the Royals to win and the Cardinals to beat the Nats. While part of me wants to see that Nats in the World Series, I feel like the Cardinals would be an easier matchup for the ideal 2014 World Series Champion….

KANSAS CITY ROYALS!

The Royals haven’t even been in the playoffs since 1985, and we really have no beef with them. The A’s beat themselves, the Royals didn’t beat them. Also, how cool would it be to have the Royals win in the 1985 World Series rematch against their cross-state rival? So even if you’re still bitter about Tuesday, it’s time for A’s fans to root for the Royals.