Ready to get back in the win column, A’s fans? After seeing their five-game winning streak snapped yesterday in the series opener the team dropped down a spot in the rankings to second place in the AL West. Luckily for them they can get back into a tie for the division lead if they can overcome their rivals the Texas Rangers in the second game of four tonight.
It’ll be a battle of left-handers on the mound tonight. For the Athletics’, they’ll have Jeffrey Springs on the bump getting the ball for his fourth start this season. He’s been easily the team’s best pitcher in the early going as he’s 2-0 and sporting a 1.47 ERA across 18 1/3 innings pitched. His most recent outing was especially dominant as he allowed just one hit and two walks in seven full frames against the New York Yankees’ dangerous lineup. If he can do that against that juggernaut of a lineup then the Rangers’ bats have a big challenge ahead of them tonight. In seven career games (four starts) against the Rangers Springs has a solid 2.55 ERA, including two starts last season when he first went six shutout frames on the road and then pitched into the sixth and allowed three runs in his second against these guys. The A’s would be happy with either of those performances again tonight.
Here’s how manager Mark Kotsay drew up the lineup for tonight’s contest:
As you may have noticed we’ll be getting our first real look at Zack Gelof in the outfield tonight. After getting an inning of work in center field last night he’ll be asked to handle a full game in right field, which will be his first career start on the grass at the big league level. Keep an eye on how he handles his new position this evening.
Elsewhere across the lineup Shea Langeliers will get a half-day off by DH’ing and leading off. That means we’ll get an Austin Wynns appearance this evening. First baseman Nick Kurtz will bat behind him tonight and then it’ll be Jacob Wilson, rising in the order above Tyler Soderstrom.
And we’re also getting some seriously good news in regards to the hot corner. After leaving yesterday’s contest after getting hit by a pitch on the hand Max Muncy is back in the starting nine and at his usual third base. We all held our breath last night when the HBP occurred but it seems like Muncy has dodged the worst possible outcome. Thanks incredibly lucky for the A’s since Muncy has been one of the better hitters for the squad so far.
The Rangers meanwhile have their own lefty in MacKenzie Gore on the mound for tonight’s game. One of Texas’ big offseason acquisitions, Gore has lived up to the high cost it took to acquire him from Washington, pitching to a 2.76 ERA in his first three games in a Rangers uniform. He’s pitched at least five innings in each appearance so far so if he’s looking lost or struggling early the A’s would be smart to capitalize on those chances and possibly chase him from the game early.
Here’s the Rangers’ starting lineup for Game 2 of this four-game set:
All the regulars in there for Texas this evening, with just a couple small changes from last night’s lineup. We’ll be getting an Andrew McCutchen sighting tonight as he’ll line up in left field for Texas in this one. A very right-handed heavy lineup, and that makes sense considering the left-handed Springs is on the bump.
First place is on the line tonight. Even though it’s early it’s still nice to be sitting atop the division. Let’s go A’s!