Chris Bassitt has one thing on his mind, and that's winning the World Series.
He doesn't care about individual awards. He's not focused on making the All-Star team. If it doesn't consist of champagne showers after the final out of a World Series-clinching victory, it's not on his mind.
After yet another dazzling performance on the mound Wednesday against the Texas Rangers, Bassitt (W, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 Ks) continued to pitch like the ace of Oakland's starting rotation.
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Bassitt improved to 9-2 on the year, with a 3.04 ERA in 106.2 innings pitched. Some might say numbers like those are worthy of an All-Star selection. In fact, that's exactly what some say.
“He’s 9-2 with a [3.00 ERA]? That’s All-Star-worthy," A's manager Bob Melvin said postgame.
"That’s what he’s meant to the team," Melvin continued. "Not only has he led the way and pitched opening day, and ends up a guy we really count on to win games like this, but it’s also All-Star worthy so hopefully that’s the case.”
Bassitt's All-Star-worthy campaign thus far has consisted of career-best efficiency and accuracy on the mound. Averaging 14.98 pitches per innings pitched (P/IP) -- a career-low -- while also posting a career-best in percent of pitches for strikes (S%) with .660, Bassitt has (so far) put together his most efficient and accurate season to date.
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So, with everything there is to support Bassitt's All-Star bid, is the 32-year old starting pitcher even thinking about an appearance on the center stage come July 13th?
“No," Bassitt said postgame. "I think those individual awards -- don’t get me wrong, they’re awesome, you want to be an All-Star, you want to win a Gold Glove, you want to win Platinum Glove, you want to win all these things -- but those are the things you look at after your career is fully over."
Bassitt is focused on the here and now, and not whether he'll board a plane to Colorado in a couple of weeks. His manager isn't the least bit surprised.
“Yeah, he doesn’t look too far out," Melvin said. "His career would suggest that you stay in the moment and do the best that you can, and I think that’s one of his strengths. All he worries about is today’s game and now preparing for his next start."
There is one thing Bassitt is focused on accomplishing, and that's beating the rival Houston Astros, who currently lead the AL West by half a game.
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“I don't think I ever need to have a really good start to make an All-Star team," Bassitt said. "I know we’re chasing Houston, and I need to have a really good start because we’re chasing Houston. Right now, I'm not worried about an All-Star game, I'm worried about Houston coming up in six days.
"I don’t give a damn about the All-Star Game, and Houston doesn’t give a damn about me making the All-Star team. I gotta take care of my business, and my business is literally my start, I don't care about all of the individual stuff."
For Bassitt, the mission is clear: prepare for his next start, prepare to beat the rival Astros and prepare to make a run at a World Series championship.
"If I worry about that, shame on me honestly. If I'm thinking about an All-Star game instead of Houston, then shame on me.”