By DAVE SKRETTA
(KANSAS CITY, Mo., AP) — The Kansas City Royals made one of the boldest trades in franchise history two years ago. The Oakland Athletics made a similarly aggressive move just a couple of months ago.
The results of both will be in the starting spotlight Tuesday night.
For the Royals, it’s “Big Game James” — James Shields, the centerpiece of a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays that finally pushed the long-downtrodden franchise into the postseason for the first time in 29 years. For the A’s, it’s Jon Lester — the postseason star of the Red Sox last season who was acquired by Oakland at the trading deadline just for this moment.
The one-game AL wild-card playoff. The winner advances to face the Los Angeles Angels in the best-of-five division series Thursday. The loser trudges off into the offseason.
The results of both will be in the starting spotlight Tuesday night.
For the Royals, it’s “Big Game James” — James Shields, the centerpiece of a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays that finally pushed the long-downtrodden franchise into the postseason for the first time in 29 years. For the A’s, it’s Jon Lester — the postseason star of the Red Sox last season who was acquired by Oakland at the trading deadline just for this moment.
The one-game AL wild-card playoff. The winner advances to face the Los Angeles Angels in the best-of-five division series Thursday. The loser trudges off into the offseason.
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