Tonight, the Athletics look to get back to winning ways as they kick-off a three-game series against their regional rival, the San Francisco Giants, in West Sacramento. While this rivalry matchup does not feel the same in the wake of the A’s departing Oakland to eventually relocate to Las Vegas, Sutter Health Park should be packed with fans this weekend given the strong fanbase both of these teams have collected across Northern California.
Yesterday, the A’s bullpen blew its American League leading 10th save of the season. The St. Louis Cardinals scored two runs off A’s reliever Jack Perkins in the ninth to turn a one-run deficit into a one-run lead and leave town with the series victory. It is imperative that the A’s move on and turn their attention toward the Giants, who at 18-26 are off to a rough start. Having lost the final two games of a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Giants are also hungry for wins as they look to build momentum.
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Right-hander Aaron Civale will take the mound for the home squad in this evening’s series-opener. The 30-year-old has far exceeded fans’ expectations, doing exactly what the A’s envisioned when they signed him in free-agency this past offseason. He enters his ninth start with a 4-1 record, a 2.59 ERA and 33 strikeouts across 41 2/3 innings. Civale earned the win in his last start against the Baltimore Orioles, recording six strikeouts over five scoreless innings. The team would love for him to continue his strong run of form tonight against a Giants’ offense that has scored the fewest runs in the league.
The Athletics’ lineup shakes out like this:
It is good to see center fielder Henry Bolte in the lineup for the third straight day, and the second straight against a right-handed pitcher. Lawrence Butler gets the start in right field over fellow left-handed hitter Carlos Cortes, a somewhat puzzling decision given that Cortes has contributed more offensively lately, though Butler is the stronger defender. The A’s gave Butler a contract extension before the 2025 season began following his stellar performance over the final few months of the previous season. Both Butler and the team would benefit if he can go on another one of those hot streaks.
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Veteran right-hander Tyler Mahle starts for San Francisco. The 31-year-old has struggled through his first eight starts with the Giants, going 1-4 with a 5.18 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. In his last start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Mahle received a no-decision after allowing four runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. In two previous starts against the A’s, Mahle went 0-2 with a 1.50 ERA. The “Green and Gold” aim to have more success against Mahle tonight after his strong performances in their previous meetings.
And the Giants will line up like this tonight:
The Giants have several well-regarded hitters in their lineup, so it seems unlikely that they will keep struggling offensively much longer. Civale needs to be careful when pitching to former A’s player third baseman Matt Chapman and first baseman Rafael Devers.
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Additionally, catcher Daniel Susac will be in the spotlight. The A’s declined to protect their 2022 first-round pick ahead of the Rule 5 Draft this past offseason. The Minnesota Twins selected Susac and then traded him to the Giants for minor-league catcher Miguel Caraballo and cash. Susac got off to a strong start before getting injured and is now back in the lineup against his former organization.
A win would put the A’s two games over the .500 mark and assure that the team will remain in first place at least for one more day. Not to mention, it would further perpetuate the Giants’ miserable start to the season. Let’s go A’s!
Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA
Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, A’s Cast
