On this beautiful day, the Athletics’ attention will be split. While the team’s front office and scouting department begin selecting the next class of future A’s talent in the MLB Draft, the current roster takes on the Chicago White Sox in the second game of the club’s final series before the All-Star break.
For the second straight season, manager Mark Kotsay’s club has been unable to halt a prolonged slide. The A’s enter this afternoon’s game on a seven-game losing streak and now face an uphill battle to climb back to .500 and reenter the American League playoff race.
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The White Sox took the series opener in convincing fashion, cruising to a 14–1 victory. Chicago capitalized on the A’s struggling pitching staff and injury-depleted slumping lineup to snap its own losing streak while handing the A’s another lopsided defeat. The “Green and Gold” aim to even the series today and avoid entering the finale with a chance to be swept.
Roster Move
The hits just keep coming for the A’s lineup. This latest injury may be the most significant yet, considering how vital Nick Kurtz has become to the team’s offense.
First baseman Nick Kurtz joins several of his teammates on the injured list with a right thumb capsule sprain. This injury, which likely contributed to his recent slump at the plate, will also keep the “Big Amish” out of Tuesday’s All-Star Game. That absence is particularly disappointing as Kurtz was in line to start at first base in his first All-Star appearance in his home state.
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Game Preview
Back to the game, it will be rookie left-hander Gage Jump’s turn to play stopper as he takes the mound for the A’s. The club’s top pitching prospect enters his ninth major-league start with a 3-3 record, a 3.77 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP and 41 strikeouts over 43 innings.
The 23-year-old got his big-league career off to a sparkling start as he looked unhittable over his first few outings. Jump has come back to earth in his last two starts, suffering two straight losses. In his most recent appearance against the Miami Marlins, he allowed five runs on eight hits in just three innings.
Facing a White Sox’ lineup that scored double-digit runs yesterday, Jump will need to be sharp today. Otherwise, the A’s could find themselves dipping back into a bullpen that has been heavily relied upon in recent weeks. After two consecutive rough outings at the team’s hitter-friendly home ballpark, Jump will look to rebound by showcasing the ace-caliber stuff that has impressed throughout his rookie season and provide the Athletics with a quality start.
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Jump will be opposed by White Sox left-hander Bryan Hudson, who enters with a 3–2 record and a 2.25 ERA in 41 appearances, including five starts. Hudson is expected to serve as the opener before giving way to originally scheduled starter Erick Fedde. The 33-year-old right-hander enters his 19th appearance of the season with a 4-6 record, a 4.34 ERA and 57 strikeouts over 85 innings.
After being held in check by Sean Burke in Friday night’s series opener, the A’s offense will look for a much better showing against Chicago’s pitching staff this afternoon.
Hudson and Fedde will face off against this A’s lineup:
This lineup makes more sense, with the struggling Lawrence Butler moved down in the order, high-contact hitter Jacob Wilson batting leadoff and speedster Henry Bolte hitting ninth. If everything goes according to plan, Bolte will get on base and give the hitters at the top of the lineup RBI opportunities.
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One of those hitters is Tyler Soderstrom, who will serve as the designated hitter as he and the team work to ensure he does not aggrevate his balky hip. Will Butler and second baseman Jeff McNeil finally provide some offensive production, or will they continue to be black holes in the A’s lineup?
Jump will battle this lineup for Will Venable’s White Sox:
The White Sox are giving Tristan Peters the day off despite his cycle performance last night. The bottom three hitters in Chicago’s lineup are all making their first starts of the series, including center fielder Junior Perez, a former A’s prospect.
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Earlier this season, the Athletics designated Perez for assignment before trading him to Chicago in exchange for a minor-league pitcher. Since making his MLB debut nearly a month ago, Perez has collected five hits, including two home runs, in his first 30 major-league at-bats.
Time for the A’s to snap their losing streak and give their fans a reason to jump for joy. Let’s go A’s!
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Athletics – NBCSCA
Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, A’s Cast
