At one point, it seemed like a certainty that the Oakland Athletics would finish with the best record in the American League and comfortably avoid Major League Baseball's version of a full-on panic attack - the one-game wild card playoff. But now, here they are, in the playoffs for the third straight year, preparing to take on the Royals in Kansas City. It will be that franchise's first playoff game since 1985, which was part of Ronald Reagan's second presidential term.

Certainly, this isn't what Oakland general manager Billy Beane wanted. In fact, he traded for what would have been the second-worst collapse in baseball history. However, they certainly have made things a lot harder for themselves. Back on June 21, they had a season-high six-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels in the American League West, but that lead evaporated with lightning-quick speed, eventually resulting in a second place finish, 10 games behind the AL West champions.

In fact, they had to hang on for dear life on the last day of the season, needing a win over the Texas Rangers to avoid a one-game playoff with the Seattle Mariners for the final wild card spot.

When Beane traded away nERD of 1.85 - meaning a lineup full of Josh Donaldsons would score 1.85 runs a game more than a lineup of league average players. He is the team's MVP, and the hope is he will provide a big hit somewhere in this game.

And obviously, in any short series and specifically a one-game series, the bullpen must be ready to answer the bell if Lester falters. They had the second-best bullpen ERA in the AL this year (2.91) and will need their late-inning crew of Luke Gregerson, Eric O'Flaherty and Sean Doolittle to shut the door if the game is close late.

Keys To Victory For The Royals

Again, it all comes down to starting pitching. Shields is no slouch, and this type of game is exactly why the Royals acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays prior to last season. Shields hasn't had quite the same success in the playoffs that Lester has had, with a 2-4 record and a 4.98 ERA in six career playoff starts. But he has been hot lately, both in the second half (2.62 ERA) and in September (2.31 ERA). He'll likely need to out-pitch Lester in this one if the Royals want to move forward.

The manager will also have to stay out of the way here. As mentioned above, Ned Yost likes to play for single runs in the early innings, potentially running the team out of what could be big innings. The Royals are going to have to be patient, work the count, get runners on and try to bring them home with singles and doubles, because the odds of them pounding home runs out of Kauffman Stadium are not high.

Kansas City will also need someone other than Alex Gordon to step up and have a big game against Lester, perhaps right-handed hitters Cain or catcher Salvador Perez.

Who Wins?

Even though they've struggled mightily in the second half, and even though they went 2-5 against the Royals this season, Oakland has more talent and the better starting pitcher going for them on Tuesday night. They should be the favorites to move on, ending Kansas City's first playoff run in 29 years after just one game.