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          Buster Olney Blog

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          10 days, 10 burning questions

          A trio of key cast members for the production of the season's 10 final days. AP Images
          • Buster Olney, ESPN Senior WriterSep 19, 2014, 08:34 AM ET
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            • Senior writer ESPN Magazine/ESPN.com
            • Analyst/reporter ESPN television
            • Author of "The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty"
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          KANSAS CITY -- Ten days left in the regular season. Ten burning questions.

          1. Will Oakland pull out of its flat spin?

          The Athletics have surrendered 15.5 games in the standings to the Angels in 39 days, which might otherwise seem impossible if you weren’t watching the Athletics play. Oakland faced a possible sweep Thursday, with Nick Martinez on the mound for the Rangers -- this is a pitcher who allowed 52 walks in 122 1/3 innings going in. After Texas scored four runs in the top of the first against Sonny Gray, the Athletics saw a total of 19 pitches in the first two innings against Martinez.

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