Our series with the Giants continues this evening with the A’s coming off a series-opening win last night. Can they make it two in a row against their former Bay Area rivals and continue padding their AL West lead?
Before we get to the game we had a small transaction this morning. The club has a new backup infielder, acquiring Alika Williams from the Pittsburgh Pirates:
The club is adding him directly to the roster, and to make space
the club designated fellow infielder Michael Stefanic for assignment. The club also had to trade right-handed prospect Kyle Robinson, a 2024 11th-round pick, to acquire Williams.
Williams, the 37th overall pick in the 2020 Draft, has scuffled in his small experience in the big leagues. That said, the 27-year-old is off to a strong start in Triple-A where he’s slashing .317/.385/.467 while playing mostly shortstop but also some third base. He also has plenty of experience at the keystone but the fact that he’s able to play shortstop makes him a better roster fit for the A’s than Stefanic, who can’t handle the position. Expect to see the right-handed hitter get some chances along with Darell Hernaiz at shortstop while Jacob Wilson is out.
Back to the game. Tonight’s starting matchup will pit a rookie versus a veteran on the mound. Luis Severino will fill the later roll as he gets the ball for tonight’s start in Sacramento. The righty is on a roll right now as he’s reeled off four straight tremendous starts for the A’s. He’ll bring a 4.07 ERA into tonight’s contest but facing a Giants lineup that is scuffling right now he should have an excellent chance to get that into the 3’s by night’s end.
Here’s the Athletics’ lineup tonight:
Same exact lineup as yesterday’s and why change something that isn’t broken? We’ll have another Henry Bolte sighting after he went 2-for-4 in last night’s game. He’s now collected a hit in all three games he’s played and could have a four-game hitting streak going by the end of the night.
For the Giants, they’ll be sending right-hander Trevor McDonald to the mound for his fifth career start (third this season). Considered a top-20 prospect in a lagging system, McDonald is off to a quick start with the Giants as he’s only allowed four runs in 12 1/3 innings pitched so far. Now that they have more video on him now maybe the A’s can jump on the young pitcher before he gets into a groove for a Giants team getting desperate to turn their season around.
And the SF lineup this evening:
Lots of the same hitters from last nights game save for a couple changes. One of the team’s best hitters in Heliot Ramos is not in the lineup, with Drew Gilbert manning left instead. Catcher Daniel Susac gets a night off making way for Jesus Rodriguez behind the plate, and Casey Schmidt slides into the DH spot in place of Bryce Eldridge.
The squad can clinch the series and give themselves a chance at a home sweep tomorrow if they get business done tonight. That sounds like an excellent way to end the home stand. Let’s go A’s!
Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA
Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, A’s Cast
