Last night, the Athletics’ losing streak reached four games, as the team fell to the Detroit Tigers 6-2 in the opening contest of this three-game series. The A’s had a chance to win after knocking Tarik Skubal out following five innings while trailing by just one run. However, miscommunication between two A’s players on a pop fly to shallow right field sparked a two-out rally for the Tigers, who extended their lead from 2-1 to 6-1 and effectively sealed the victory.
Left-hander Jeffrey Springs will
start today for the A’s, who will look to even the series and force tomorrow’s finale to become a series decider. The 33-year-old southpaw enters his 19th start of the season with a 3-8 record, a 5.79 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP and 80 strikeouts across 93 1/3 innings. Since opening the season strong, Springs has struggled significantly over the past few months. His ERA ranks as the fourth highest in the major leagues and he has surrendered more home runs than any other pitcher.
Much of these struggles can be attributed to pitching in the hitter-friendly confines of Sutter Health Park, a particularly difficult environment for a fly ball pitcher. The split is especially striking: Springs has allowed 16 home runs at home compared to just eight on the road. He gave up two more home runs in his last start, a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in which he allowed six runs on eight hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings.
Comerica Park generally plays as a pitcher-friendly ballpark, meaning fly balls that might clear the fence at the A’s home stadium often turn into long outs in Detroit. Given how well the park suits Springs’ fly ball tendencies, this is an excellent opportunity for Springs to deliver a much-needed quality start and earn his first win since April.
The A’s lineup for this afternoon’s matchup:
Tyler Soderstrom makes his return as the designated hitter, a move that should help avoid putting immediate strain on his injured hip while the left fielder works his way back into action. Zack Gelof, who started in left field the past two games, shifts to third base with Max Muncy no longer on the major-league roster.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer looks to continue his hot start offensively, but more importantly, he and right fielder Lawrence Butler need to improve their defensive communication tonight. The A’s also need more from Kuroda-Grauer’s middle-infield partner, shortstop Jacob Wilson, who went hitless yesterday in his first game off the injured list.
The A’s offense will face Tigers’ right-hander Troy Melton, who has gotten off to an excellent start this season. The 25-year-old enters his eighth start with a 4-1 record, a 2.05 ERA, a 0.80 WHIP and 32 strikeouts over 44 innings. In his previous start, Melton received a no-decision after holding the New York Yankees scoreless through 6 1/3 innings, only giving up two hits while striking out seven.
This will be Melton’s second time facing the Athletics, but first as a starting pitcher. Last August, he threw three scoreless relief innings against the “Green and Gold”. The A’s will hope for more success against the talented young right-hander tonight. Their hitters must capitalize on any mistake pitches Melton leaves over the plate, while working deep counts, a strategy they used last night to force Skubal to hand the game over to Detroit’s bullpen in the sixth inning.
And the Tigers’ starting nine:
Springs will need to be careful when pitching to the Tigers’ trio of All-Stars: catcher Dillon Dingler, left fielder Riley Greene and American League Rookie of the Year candidate Kevin McGonigle. Outside of those three players, the Tigers’ lineup does not look quite as intimidating, although their other hitters can still make A’s pitchers pay if they make mistakes.
Time to bounce back, snap this skid and get back in the win column. Let’s go Athletics!
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