The A’s have won three straight games, are one of the hottest teams in baseball and are coming off a sweep of the Minnesota Twins. Now they’ll try to push their winning streak to four as they travel north for a three-game weekend series in Seattle. Who else is ready to take on the Mariners?
Seattle is fighting hard with the Houston Astros for the division lead with just a month and change left in the season. Entering tonight they remain just two games back of the division lead (in addition to possessing
the final AL Wild Card spot). Seattle is desperate to take the division but they’re also coming off five straight losses, so the A’s are catching Seattle at a perfect time. Can we take two of three and break Mariners’ fans’ hearts?
For the A’s, they’ll go with a highly regarded young right-hander in Luis Morales. Set to make just his third career start tonight, Morales has looked good in the small sample he’s already given us. After pitching two innings of relief and allowing a run in his big league debut, Morales has made two starts and had up-and-down performances. In his first career start he didn’t allow a run but he also only pitched into the third and walked five batters. His most recent start went much better when he went five full innings and allowed just one run to the Los Angeles Angels. Everyone will be hoping for more of that tonight as he continues to settle into the big leagues.
Here’s how the starting batting order looks tonight for the A’s:
I see a familiar face in there! Shortstop Jacob Wilson has finally rejoined the club after missing the past 23 games with that fracture in his arm. He’s back now though, hitting fifth in the lineup after playing in just four rehab games going 3-for-14 with a home run. He’d have a lot of work to do to catch up to teammate Nick Kurtz for the rookie of the year award but anything can happen. Speaking of Kurtz, he’ll bat leadoff again tonight followed by the usual suspects of Shea Langeliers, Brent Rooker, and Tyler Soderstrom.
The bottom half of the lineup sees Lawrence Butler following Wilson in the order. And even with the return of Wilson the A’s coaching staff clearly wants to see more of Darell Hernaiz, who is seemingly the new utility weapon after Max Schuemann’s demotion earlier today. Lefty JJ Bleday and rookie Brett Harris round out the starting nine for the series opener.
The starting pitcher that that lineup will face tonight is right-hander Bryan Woo. An All-Star this season, Woo has already faced the A’s three times this season. His first back in March went well but his next two assignments against the Green & Gold he allowed five earned runs in each appearance. Overall on the year the third-year starter has a 3.02 ERA across 24 starts for the M’s.
Seattle’s offense got a midseason boost with the additions of Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez. Add in the MVP-level of season catcher Cal Raleigh and even Julio Rodriguez, and this lineup has plenty of bats that can punish you. Gotta be on your ‘A’ game tonight, gentlemen.
Who else is ready to play spoiler against a division foe? This writer sure is! Let’s go A’s!
