OAKLAND -- When Chris Bassitt takes the mound at the Coliseum on Wednesday for Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series, he might find himself going through a quick moment of nostalgia as he peers into the batter’s box.

Drafted by the White Sox in 2011, Bassitt’s postseason debut will come against his former team. Though he was traded to the A’s in 2015, the 31-year-old grew up in Chicago’s organization alongside stars like Tim Anderson and José Abreu, both of whom were in Wednesday’s starting lineup for the White Sox.

“I know a lot of them. I would say probably 10 or 12 guys,” Bassitt said. “It’s special for me because it’s kind of like playing with your friends. I know after the game I’ll have 30 or 40 ex-teammates and coaches texting me. It’s fun. It’s a different dynamic.”

Bassitt may have some fond memories of the players in the visiting dugout, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to take it easy on them. It’s the contrary, as Bassitt said after a start against the White Sox last August that he always tries to “prove to them they made a mistake” by trading him.

The numbers against the White Sox would certainly lead some to believe there is extra motivation -- Bassitt is 2-1 with a 3.04 ERA in four career starts against Chicago.

“We’re excited to see how he does,” A’s closer Liam Hendriks said. “Plus, he needs a little vengeance against his old team.”

The task is a daunting one for Bassitt. Down 0-1 in the best-of-three Wild Card Series, Bassitt will look to keep Oakland’s season alive in an elimination game, which has been a nightmare scenario for the club in the past. Entering Wednesday, the A’s have lost nine consecutive games in which a victory would have advanced them to the next round of the postseason.

But no pitcher on the A’s staff might be better equipped to handle such pressure than Bassitt, who earned September’s AL Pitcher of the Month honors as part of a superb 2020 campaign that saw him finish with a 2.29 ERA, which ranked third lowest among AL starters.

“We’re happy he’s the guy in Game 2 with our back against the wall,” Hendriks said. “There’s not too much that actually affects him or bothers him on the mound. That’s what we need today.”

A’s stack righties vs. Keuchel

The A’s and Dallas Keuchel -- Chicago’s Game 2 starter -- know each other well going back to their intradivision battles during his days with the Astros. The left-hander is 6-6 with a 3.06 ERA in 22 career games (20 starts) against Oakland. To counter the lefty, the A’s rolled out a right-handed heavy lineup.

“He hasn’t changed much,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said of Keuchel. "It’s cutter-changeup for the most part. He wants to get a ground ball on the other side of the plate with his sinker and throw his changeup off the barrel of the bat. 

“To an extent, you have to pick a side when you’re ahead in the count or even against him and battle with two strikes.”

Stephen Piscotty, who was on the bench for Game 1 after dealing with a knee injury to end the regular season, was back in the starting lineup in right field and batting eighth.

“At one point, he was our best RBI guy for a stretch,” Melvin said. “Seemed like he was knocking in a run every day. The injury probably set him back a little bit. He’s a couple of at-bats away from being productive again, and he did it this year. We’re confident in him.”