The A’s embark on the season’s final road trip, a journey through Boston and Pittsburgh. Tonight is an Early game as they try to avenge the dominant big league debut Connelly Early threw at the A’s last week.
In the last series the A’s played spoilers par excellence as they swept the Cincinnati Reds. The Red Sox are also jockeying for post-season position although unlike their Redleg counterparts they are almost assured of grabbing at least the 3rd wild card spot.
Jeffrey Springs takes the mound for
the A’s having been the losing pitcher in his last start when matched up with Early. Every out Springs records gives him a new season high for innings, so he is in uncharted territory and it’s unclear whether this might be taking a toll as his recent starts have not been as crisp as the dozen or so before them.
Today’s lineups are strange in the A’s one actually makes sense with Lawrence Butler in despite the LHP starter and Jacob Wilson batting 2nd where he belongs. Tyler Soderstrom continues to rest his tight groin, out of the lineup for the 4th straight game.
