The Oakland A's are on a five-game winning streak and if they make it six they can win the A.L. West Wednesday afternoon as they play their last game of the season against the former leaders of the division, Texas Rangers.
Grant Balfour, the A's closer said he felt a win coming for his team.
"I honestly believe we're going to win tomorrow. Nothing's a guarantee, but it's about as good as one."
Balfour, who is 34-years-old, knows a little bit about postseason magic as a member of the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays. He came over to the A's after the 2010 season and has taken over the closing job for Billy Beane's club. He is currently one of the highest paid members of the A's at $4.5 million a year.
So far this season, Balfour has witnessed greatness from an A's club that was not expected to compete. Both the Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels got better over the offseason and the biggest splash for the A's, which surprised many, was riisky signing an unproven Cuban defector, Yoenis Cespedes.
Now, the club is just one win away from claiming the A.L. West.
In the last four days, Balfour has pitched and been lights-out. He has pitched four innings without allowing a base runner recording seven strikeouts along the way.
Without a doubt, momentum is on the A's side. Winners of five straight, they can pull off the unbelievable as just a week ago they were in five games back and playing a four-game series against the Rangers.
For the Rangers, a loss would be devastating. They cruised to first place and held on throughout the season. They are coming off of back-to-back World Series losses, none bigger than their Game 6 and 7 drops against the St. Louis Cardinals last season.
Both teams would gain entry to the playoffs, but the Rangers would have to possibly face red hot New York Yankee or Baltimore Oriole teams.
Whatever the case is, Ryan Dempster will have to come up big in his start tomorrow if the Ranger are to regain the division in Game 162 of 2012.
Dempster is 3-2 in his last five starts with a 4.71 ERA. He has never faced Oakland in 2012. He will go against A.J. Griffin who is 4-1 in his last six starts with a 3.09 ERA. He pitched six innings of two-hit ball against the Rangers back on June 29.
Bud Selig wanted drama. He is getting drama alright.
First pitch will be a little after 3:35 p.m. ET/12:35 p.m. PT. For those who cannot watch the game tomorrow , come back to the site and we will bring you decorated play-by-play and a livestream.
