Morning everyone and welcome to another Friday!
Yesterday the A’s wrapped up their four-game series with the Texas Rangers, splitting the series and remaining in a tie atop the AL West. Not the best outcome but certainly not the worst. Now these two teams will split up and face a couple other teams before seeing each other again next weekend in Texas. Who will be in first place at that point?
Looking ahead to the next series, we welcome the Chicago White Sox to town for a weekend three-game set. Chicago has
been one of the worst teams in baseball history over the past two seasons, and while they are back at the bottom of the AL Central with a 6-13 record they seem to have a bit more fight in them than the past couple of years. Can’t ever take a game for granted but the A’s should have the goal of taking at least two of three against the South Siders, with a sweep being the ultimate goal.
Tonight’s game will feature right-hander Aaron Civale on the bump for what will be his fourth start in an Athletics uniform. He’s gotten off to a terrific start with his new team as he’s gone at least five innings in each of his starts, which is exactly what the team was hoping for. They’re probably surprised at Civale’s ability so far this season to avoid giving up runs: he’s allowed just three baserunners to cross home plate in 15 2/3 innings of work. The team will be hoping he can keep that up against Chicago, who will be sending fellow righty Davis Martin to the mound to kick off the series for them. Martin has been arguably their best starter in the early going as he’ll bring a 2.50 ERA in three starts so far this year.
After that Friday night matchup it’ll be Luis Severino versus Erick Fedde on Saturday afternoon followed by a matchup between Jeffrey Springs against Noah Shultz on Sunday. That’ll be Schultz’s second career major league game so an excellent chance to jump on a fresh-faced rookie. The pitching matchups favor the Athletics all series but you still gotta go out there and play the games. Severino has had major home struggles so perhaps Saturday is the day he can begin turning that around.
On another note, two of the organization’s top pitching prospects got starts yesterday and did not disappoint. Left-handers Jamie Arnold and Gage Jump both had Thursday assignments and both posted quality outings. Jump, pitching at Triple-A Las Vegas and making his third start, collected eight strikeouts against just one walk in 4 1/3 innings of work. He allowed a pair of runs on four hits but he’s still sporting a pristine 2.61 ERA through three (short) starts. The team is clearly being cautious as they ramp up the young lefty but this was his longest outing of the year as he got up to 80 pitches. The current major league rotation is full and no one other than Severino is truly struggling so there’s no obvious opening but the team must be happy with how Jump is handling his first taste of Triple-A. Maybe if Jacob Lopez’s struggles get worse the team may elect to press fast forward towards the future a little earlier than expected.
As for Arnold, the 22-year-old southpaw had an even better performance a level lower in Double-A. In 3 1/3 innings of work (remember, slow ramp up for these two) Arnold punched out 7 of the 10 outs he collected, not allowing a run compared to just one walk. Many expected Arnold to be a fast riser through the system and so far in his first three starts as a professional, he hasn’t done anything to dispel that belief. It’s starting to feel like a foregone conclusion that we will see not only Jump at some point this season but Arnold as well. We’ll see if the A’s get aggressive with these two if they’re still in a playoff race but the smart money would be on seeing these guys in the Green & Gold sooner than later.
That’s all we have today everyone. Game tonight at 6:40. Until then, have a great day everyone!
A’s Coverage:
- Bullpen and Wind Sink A’s Shot at Series Win
- A’s out-hit Rangers in 6-5 victory
- Today Is A Day Of Special Meaning — For More Than One Reason
- Denzel and Co. add to highlight reel as A’s defense turns away Rangers
- A’s top prospect Leo De Vries pops his first two homers of the season at Double-A
- A’s Beat Rangers 2-1, Tied For First in AL West
- A’s roster moves: Rooker to IL, Gelof recalled
- A’s roster moves: Jack Perkins recalled, Michael Kelly optioned
- Luis Morales Optioned to Triple-A
- Armchair 101: The Challenge Of Judging Decisions In Real Time
- AN Exclusive: Blogfather Observes The Wild Denzelope In Its Natural Habitat
- AN Exclusive: Blogfather Toes The Rubber With Pitching Coach Scott Emerson
- AN Exclusive: Blogfather Catches Up With Starting Pitcher Jacob Lopez
MLB News and Interest:
- So close! No-hit bid by Guardians rookie Messick broken up by O’s in 9th inning
- Padres’ Sale Nearing Conclusion
- Mike Trout’s FIFTH home run of series is most by visiting player ever vs. Yankees
- Mike Trout Might Be Back
- Yankees’ Gerrit Cole set to make first rehab start Friday
- Orioles Trade Chayce McDermott To Dodgers
- Dodgers spent an MLB record $515M in 2025
- Drone sightings at Coors Field prompt warning from authorities
- Padres Option Sung-Mun Song
- Sources: MLBPA fires COO, human resources head with cause
- Braves Designate Osvaldo Bido
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
Lopez’s leash getting shorter?
Disappointing considering he needs every hit he can possibly get. He had time for jokes earlier this week about his lack of hitting skills, but this wasn’t funny to watch:
ICYMI:
Tough way to see your no-no end, even if you’re just a rookie:
Who else misses Stephen Vogt?
