Last night, the Athletics played spoiler by kicking off their homestand with a 6-5 walk-off win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Tonight, the A’s will look to continue their strong finish to the season and secure a second consecutive series victory.
Right-hander Jack Perkins will make the start for the A’s. The 26-year-old enters his 34th appearance, 14th start of the season and first career start against the Blue Jays with a 3-10 record, a 6.50 ERA, a 1.54 WHIP and 116 strikeouts over 98 1/3 innings.
Perkins’ strikeout numbers showcase the stellar arsenal he brings to the mound. However, his ongoing command issues have prevented him from taking the next step and establishing himself as a core member of the A’s pitching staff.
In his last outing against the Seattle Mariners, Perkins was bailed out by the A’s bullpen. The right-hander allowed three runs on four hits in just three innings, striking out seven batters while walking five. Following that game, the Athletics optioned Perkins to Triple-A. He was recalled the next day as the corresponding move after fellow right-hander J.T. Ginn landed on the injured list with an elbow impingement.
Perkins has the ability to be a successful starting pitcher in this league, yet he has not reached his fully evolved form. If he keeps struggling, it would behoove the team to return him to a late-inning or long relief role. Will Perkins deliver a quality start, or will the team once again have to turn to its bullpen earlier than expected?
Here’s how the Athletics will line up for this matchup:
Center fielder Henry Bolte will look to follow his electric performance yesterday with another strong showing this evening. Third baseman Zack Gelof did not start the season in the majors, yet he is three home runs and six stolen bases away from a 20-20 season. The Blue Jays must be mindful of the two speedsters, who ran wild on the basepaths in the series opener.
After a hot streak, right fielder Lawrence Butler has cooled down. The Athletics could use a resurgence from him and slumping catcher Jonah Heim. The team also welcomes back designated hitter Tommy White, who sat out the last five games because of back tightness.
The A’s offense will face Blue Jays right-hander José Soriano. Toronto was active on both sides of this season’s trade deadline, and Soriano was one of its key acquisitions. The Blue Jays traded one of their top prospects to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for the hard-throwing right-hander.
Through 22 starts with the Angels, Soriano went 9-6 with a 3.29 ERA. In his first six starts with his new team, the 27-year-old went 2-1 with a 4.36 ERA.
The Green and Gold have faced Soriano plenty of times over the past few years. The right-hander enters this outing 1-3 with a 7.52 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 10 career appearances against the Athletics. This will be his third start against the A’s this season, but his first as a member of the Blue Jays. He received no-decisions in both of his first two starts. Will that happen again today, or will Soriano finally factor into the decision?
And Toronto’s starting nine:
No George Springer in the Blue Jays lineup today. Left fielder Josh Smith and designated hitter Jesús Sánchez make their first starts of the series for the visitors. Perkins will have to be careful when facing the always-dangerous Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as well as Andrés Giménez, who hit the game-tying home run last night.
Time to make it two straight wins and send Toronto tumbling in the wild-card race. Let’s go, A’s!
Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA
Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, A’s Cast
