Okay, last night was tough to swallow. You don’t expect to blow a 6-2 lead with just a few outs to go, but that’s just how this season has gone for the A’s. A bit fitting in a way. Starting strong, before fading late. Hopefully that doesn’t follow this club into next year as well.
The series continues tonight and the A’s have a chance to make things right with a win this evening. At-72 the A’s are only better than one other team in the American League: the Los Angeles Angels. The playoffs aren’t happening but the goal the rest of the season should be to finish above them. Who knows. Maybe the Mariners collapse and third place is a possibility in September.
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Taking the ball for the home team will be youngster Mason Barnett. The right-hander is making his third start since seemingly rejoining the rotation. He had a terrific first start against the Red Sox last week but got tagged for five runs his last time out against the Reds. Most of the damage from those two teams came later in the game so keep an eye on how Barnett is faring after the first time or two through the Rays’ batting order.
Here’s how the Athletics‘ lineup stacks up tonight for the middle contest against our AL East foe:
Jeff McNeil is back atop the lineup for the second straight day. No Soderstrom in the starting nine as he gets a full day off, with Zack Gelof taking his place in left field and batting second. Shortstop Jacob Wilson is back in the three hole followed again by Carlos Cortes, who will be the DH this evening after handling the outfield last night.
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The back half of the lineup is also fairly similar to last night’s except infielder Tommy White returns to the lineup and playing third base this evening. The highly-rated prospect has encountered his first slump at the plate in his big league career, with just four hits in his last 27 at bats. Mark Kotsay gave him a day off yesterday and now he’s batting ninth so hopefully an extra day of rest and hitting in a low-pressure spot in the lineup can help spark him in the batter’s box. We’ll be seeing plenty more of White with Nick Kurtz‘s injury.
Tampa Bay meanwhile has Nick Martinez getting the start for them this evening. An offseason acquisition for Tampa, Martinez has been an absolute steal for the Rays. In 22 starts the 26-year-old has a career-best 2.65 ERA, good for fourth in the American League. Signed to a one-year contract, Martinez is likely to get some down-ballot Cy Young votes thanks to his work with the Rays and is looking at a fairly sizable contract this coming winter. Possible A’s target if the wallets open up?
And Tampa’s lineup:
The same top of the order but a much different looking backend of the lineup. Hopefully that throws of their good juju from last night.
Let’s get back to our winning ways and play some spoiler. Let’s go A’s!
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