That off-day was nice but it’s time to get back to it. It’s Player’s Weekend! The A’s have a fresh home series set to kick off tonight as the division rival Los Angeles Angels arrive back to Sacramento for their final trip to Northern California. Los Angeles, who acted as a buyer at the trade deadline, has been in a free-fall for the past couple of weeks and a series loss to the Athletics might be the straw that sends the Angels crashing back down to earth. We like that! This promises to be a fun
weekend.
Starting tonight’s game and the series for the A’s will be right-hander Jack Perkins. The rookie has made just two starts so far in his young career. allowing four runs in three innings in his first career start before shaping up and allowing just three runs in six full frames last time out against Baltimore. Not a dominant performance by any means, but enough to earn another start. Let’s see if the young gun can build on the positives from his last time out on the mound.
Tonight’s starting lineup:
Catcher Shea Langeliers will get a half-day off to start the series but will be the leadoff man for the Athletics tonight against a left-handed starter. That means Brent Rooker will dust off his glove and man right field tonight. First baseman Nick Kurtz returns to the starting lineup after getting Wednesday night off, and combined with yesterday’s off-day he should be fresh and ready to do some damage tonight. Rookie Colby Thomas draws another start and rises up the lineup to the cleanup spot right behind Kurtz. Shortstop will be manned by Darell Hernaiz while JJ Bleday sneaks into the lineup against a left-handed starter. The club welcomes back a familiar face as Brett Harris rejoins the club and immediately slots into the starting lineup, batting eighth and playing third base, and Willie MacIver will be catching Perkins while Luis Urias returns to his spot at second base.
For Los Angeles, they’ll have lefty Yusei Kikuchi on the mound for tonight’s contest. The veteran has had a fine season overall as his 3.37 ERA suggests, but he’s followed up a terrific first half with a modest start to the second half of the season. Over his past five starts he’s sporting a decent but unspectacular 4.50 ERA, which includes his last time out when he allowed four runs in just five innings of work. He’s already faced the A’s once this year, going 7 1/3 scoreless with just one hit allowed way back on June 9th. Time for payback, wouldn’t you say?
The Halos’ starting nine for the series opener tonight breaks down like this:
Of course, have to be careful with future Hall-of-Famer Mike Trout. And don’t let Taylor Ward, who is having a career year, get to you. Jo Adell has been solid overall but has slumped hard since the trade deadline. Perkins will be facing this team a lot over the next few years so time for him to get to know his competition.
Friday night baseball gets underway here very soon. Wouldn’t a win start Player’s Weekend off right? Let’s go A’s!
