The Seamheads: A show about the Oakland Athletics

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman talk about what's next for the A's in the offseason with so many decisions to be made. Marcus Semien and Liam Hendriks are the 2 biggest names the A's have to try to bring back. Semien seems more likely, but it could be his last chance for a big pay day. Lots of decisions to be made about the bullpen and starting staff. What to expect from AJ Puk next season and what role will he play? Will they bring back Frankie Montas or go look for someone else in their minor leagues or free agency? And there could be possible changes in the front office and coaching staff, so there is a lot of big decisions coming up for the A's. To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman discuss the Astros winning Game 4 11-6 and eliminate the A's from the Playoffs. Fast start by the A's bats, but a Josh Reddick homerun robbing catch gave the Astros some momentum. The A's bullpen just ran out of gas and the Astros got a lot of clutch hits in some great at bats. Laureano really stepped up at the end of the series showing a lot of leadership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman break down the A's comeback Game 3 win vs the Astros 9-7 to avoid elimination and play another game on Thursday. The A's hit 5 homers and rally late in the game. Ramon Laureano gave an emotional speech in the dugout in the 6th inning and the it lite a fire under the team immediately. They scored 3 in the 7th and 2 in the 8th to go ahead. Closer Liam Hendriks came in the game in the 7th and went 3 innings to get the win for the A's. Game 4 on Thursday with Frankie Montas on the mound and is another do or die game for Oakland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman break down the Astros winning Game 2 of the ALDS vs the A's 5-2 and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the Best of 5 Series. Khris Davis continues to stay hot with another homer, but the A's outfielders bats continue to be ice cold. Astros shut things down after 5 innings. George Springer stays red hot with 2 homeruns in Game 2. And they preview Game 3 with Jesus Luzardo starting in the do or die game for the A's. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman discuss the Astros beating the A's in Game 1 of the ALDS 10-5. Astros were aggressive at the plate and the A's infield defense struggled. Seminen error in the 6th inning opened the floodgates for the Astros. One positive was that Khris Davis looks to have found his swing after he smacked another homer in todays game. And they preview Game 2 on Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman preview the upcoming ALDS match-up vs the Houston Astros. The series will be played at Dodgers stadium and all the games are during the day, so the ball might be flying. Chris Bassitt gets the call for the A's in the opener. Astros veteran lineup with postseason experience could cause some problems this series. And they talk about how this series could come down to the bullpens and that is a big advantage for the A's. To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman break down the A's huge Game 3 victory over the White Sox to advance to the next round of the Playoffs for the first time since 2006. Rocky start, but the A's were patient at the plate to fight back into the game and the bullpen was good enough to get it done. Hendriks came in and shut the door and his stuff was electric, even after throwing almost 50 pitches the day before. Semien, Pinder and Murphy came up with clutch big hits to help the offense. A's head to LA to take on the Houston Astros starting Monday To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman break down the A's huge Game 2 win 5-3 over the White Sox on Wednesday. Chris Bassitt went 7 strong and only gave up 1 run and handed it off to the bullpen to close it out. Hendricks had some issues, but Diekman saved the day to end the game and tie the series. The Game 3 starters are unknown as of time of recording the podcast, but they debate who would be the best choice for the A's. And they talk about how maybe Khris Davis has found his swing after a big homer in Game 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman preview the upcoming 1st round playoff series vs the Chicago White Sox. White Sox have a very young and powerful lineup and have 2 very good starting pitching. A's are gonna need their starting pitching and bullpen to lead them. A's hope to turn on the switch after a rocky last week or so. And they talk about how a few current A's players who used to play for the White Sox could be big keys to the series for Oakland To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman talk about the A's clinching the AL West Division title, but couldn't really celebrate it. Frankie Montas last start showed them that its unclear what his role will be with the team in the playoffs. He probably won't make another start, but could be used out the bullpen. And they both give out their A's regular season awards for this shortened crazy season. To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman talk about how the A's look heading into the postseason with only a week left in the regular season. They take 2 of 3 from the Giants and the pitching really looks ready to roll for the playoffs. Jake Lamb has been a huge addition with his glove and his bat since the A's signed him after Chapman went down. They talk about how the A's seem very loose and really enjoy each other and playing in Oakland. And they give a preview of the upcoming series vs the Dodgers.To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman are joined by A's Farm Director Ed Sprague to talk about everything that is going on at the alternate site in Oakland. He talks about who has looked good, who has surprised and how things operate day to day in San Jose.All the craziness of the bad air quality in Seattle and A's having to play a doubleheader is discussed. MLB seems to have made a mistake in playing the doubleheader since they moved the games in Seattle the next day. The Giants come to Oakland and they break down possible pitching matchups and if they think Jesus Luzardo should be the #1 pitcher to start in the playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman talk about the A's tough weekend with big injury news. Matt Chapman is out for the season with hip surgery and Chad Pinder strained his hamstring and was placed on the IR with his return unknown. They have signed former D-backs 3b Jake Lamb to hopefully fill in at 3b and provide some pop. Hopefully Khris Davis can find himself and get the bat going to fill up some of the gap with Chapman out. And they talk about how impressive Sean Murphy has been looking lately.To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman talk about the A's taking 4 of 5 from the Astros this week. Where do the A's stand with a playoff spot pretty much locked up? They talk about how the A's have some similarities to the Giants World Series teams. The A's just seem to do just enough to win and do it in a very workman like fashion. And they talk about how the upcoming games vs the NL West are going to be very interesting. To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman talk about an interesting week of baseball for the A's. From Covid positive tests postponing games, to injuries, to bad replay reviews, Chris Bassitt came thru with a gem Monday night to beat the Astros. We get an update on injuries to Aj Puk and Matt Chapman. And they break down the strangeness of replay in baseball and how it seems to always go against the A's. To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman talk about another few days with out baseball for the A's after taking some games off because of a positive Covid test. They are scheduled to get back on the field on Friday vs the Padres. The outlook for the postseason looks good, but there are some question marks with the starting rotation. They talk about a possible playoff bubble down in so cal for AL teams and if they will effect the A's or not. And they talk about if they think Jesus Luzardo is ready to step up to be the ace in the playoffs to lead them to the World Series.To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman talk about all the craziness that has gone on with the A's in the few days. From games being postponed, to a positive Covid-19 test that suspended a few games, a couple injuries and to top it off with a few trades before and on deadline day. The A's traded with the Rangers for pitcher Mike Minor and with the Angels for Tommy La Stella. How will these new players fit in with the A's and if they gave up too much for both guys? To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman talk about the progression of Sean Manaea so far this season. He seems to struggle to get thru 5 innings every outing and that could be an issue in the postseason. The question is whether he break thru and throw more pitches and go deeper into games. And they break down catcher Jonah Heim getting called up, starting and getting his 1st big league hit. To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman discuss the A's midday season review. They lead the AL in wins and have a 99% chance of making the playoffs. What have been some of the strengths and weaknesses of the first half so far. What possible trades should they make to upgrade the infield and pitching staff to propel them to a deep postseason run. And what to expect from the upcoming roadie to face the Rangers and Astros.To read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Lockard & Steve Berman discuss the A's struggles down in Arizona after losing 2 games to the D-backs. Pitching has struggled and the bats have struggled early in games. With the starting pitching being so inconsistent, should the A's be active at the Trade Deadline to bolster the starting rotation and maybe the bullpen. They each list a few possible trade candidates for the A's to trade for and a few are just across the Bay. And the A's bring up pitcher Paul Blackburn kind of clouds things about where he might pitch or if someone in the rotation is injuredTo read everything A's, visit: https://theathletic.com/team/athletics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices