Game #68: Athletics at Angels Game Thread

Can the Athletics win two games in a row?

The Athletics continue their season with a trip down to Anaheim to take on the Angels. The first of three against our division rivals will kick off here soon enough, and the A’s will be desperate as they try to get every win they can to possibly start climbing the standings.

The A’s will predictably go with an opener for tonight’s contest. Right-handed reliever Grant Holman will draw the start today but should only expected to go one inning. The bulk pitcher tonight will be left-hander Jeffrey Springs, who thrived in an opener/bulk setup. Let’s see if that continues tonight in what will be his 14th game of the season. He’s sporting a 4.66 ERA so far but outside of one start has pitched much better recently.

The starting nine for the first game of the series breaks down like this for the Athletics:

As you see, first baseman Nick Kurtz is back with the A’s and in the starting lineup, not wasting any time after getting activated off the IL earlier this afternoon. He’s going to get eased back in with a start at designated hitter tonight, forcing Brent Rooker into the field. He’ll take over in left while Tyler Soderstrom gets once last start at first base for what could be a while. Elsewhere in the lineup the catcher position will be manned by Willie MacIver tonight, drawing the start over newly-acquired Athletic Austin Wynns. And second baseman Luis Urias will man the keystone in his usual #8 spot in the lineup ahead of center fielder Denzel Clarke.

The Athletics’ will get a tough task tonight as left-hander Yusei Kikuchi draws the start for tonight’s series opener. He’s been the Angels’ best starter, sporting a 3.23 ERA through 13 starts. The A’s have seen plenty of him over the years so he won’t be an unfamiliar face on the mound.

The Angels’ starting nine for tonight looks like this:

Let’s go A’s!