After briefly falling below .500 the A’s got back to the even mark yesterday evening when they beat the Angels in the second game of this four-game series. They remain a half-game over the Texas Rangers for first place in the AL West so a win tonight sure would feel good in order to remain atop the division all alone. Time to put two together and make this the start of an extended winning streak.
One of the A’s better pitchers will be taking the ball for them tonight. Right-hander Aaron Civale has
been tabbed to make it two straight for the Athletics as he’ll be getting the ball for the 10th time this year. The 30-year-old has continued to be a revelation for the A’s as he’s leading the starting staff with a 2.70 ERA in his first season in the Green & Gold and he’ll try to lower than number even more with a strong performance against a division rival tonight. In five career starts against the Halos Civale owns a 4.28 ERA so he’ll be hoping for better results now that he’s in a new uniform.
Here’s the A’s starting nine for the game tonight:
New leadoff man tonight as Carlos Cortes draws the start in right field in place of Lawrence Butler. Other than that it’s the rest of the starters tonight with everyone in the batting order moving down a spot. That means Langeliers in the 2-hole, Kurtz batting third with Rooker hitting cleanup. Sodey behind him, followed by the hot-hitting Zack Gelof at third, McNeil at the keystone, Bolte back in center field, and Hernaiz handling shortstop.
Meanwhile the Angels have righty Jack Kochanowicz getting the start for them this evening. The third-year starter got hit hard in his first appearance this season before settling into a groove. He’s recently fallen out of said groove as he’s allowed six runs in each of his previous two outings. Can the A’s take advantage of a struggling pitcher and make it three straight with six runs allowed?
And the Angels’ starting nine courtesy of old friend and current Halos manager Kurt Suzuki:
Save for a bit of shuffling it’s mostly the same batters from last night except in left field, where former Ranger Josh Lowe will replace Jose Siri tonight. Can Civale handle the lineup and keep them off the board tonight?
After a successful April the A’s have lost four of their five series this month. If they lose tonight they’ll guarantee at best a split and put themselves in a big situation tomorrow for the series finale. Let’s avoid that scenario, shall we? Let’s go A’s!
Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA
Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, A’s Cast
