Yesterday, the Athletics were three outs away from evening up this four-game series against the Kansas City Royals. However, the league-worst bullpen cost the team once again. Hogan Harris blew his sixth save of the season, allowing the Royals to tie the game before giving way to fellow reliever Elvis Alvarado, who surrendered Bobby Witt Jr.‘s walk-off bloop single.
With two games remaining in Kansas City, the A’s still have a chance to earn a series split, but they must first break their two-game
losing streak tonight.
Roster Move
Before the game, the A’s injured list got a bit less crowded. Veteran left-hander Jeffrey Springs returns after missing three weeks because of hip discomfort. To make room on the roster, struggling reliever Seth Johnson was optioned to Triple-A, where he can work on regaining his form in a lower-pressure environment.
Springs will have an immediate opportunity to make an impact, as he will start for the A’s today. The 33-year-old southpaw enters his 23rd start of the season with a 3-11 record, a 6.17 ERA, a 1.48 WHIP and 88 strikeouts over 108 innings.
Springs was a solid starting pitcher in his first season with the Athletics last year. This year, things have gone south, as he has not won a game since April. In his most recent seven starts, Springs went 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA and a 1.93 WHIP.
When fellow veteran Luis Severino went down with an injury earlier this season, the team looked to Springs to provide a solid experienced presence in the rotation. Instead, Springs has pitched like one of the worst pitchers in the league, as only two MLB pitchers have allowed more home runs than him this season.
The fly-ball pitcher has especially struggled at Sutter Health Park, calling it “a recipe for disaster.” Yet, he has performed just as badly on the road, something he will try to remedy this evening in his second start against the Royals this season and eighth of his career.
Here’s how the A’s starting lineup shakes out tonight:
Jacob Wilson is out of the lineup for a third straight game. That shoulder injury has kept him sidelined in recent games. There is a real possibility that he will soon join the team’s lengthy season-ending injured list.
With the A’s on track for another 100-loss campaign, the objective for the rest of the season should be for the veterans to finish strong and for the youngsters to take advantage of extended playing opportunities.
If the Athletics want to win tonight, the team will need center fielder Henry Bolte and second baseman Jeff McNeil to continue their respective hot streaks. Additionally, this game gives Tommy White and Max Muncy another chance to position themselves as part of the A’s future plans. Finally, catcher Jonah Heim is feeling the effects of being pushed into an everyday role following starter Shea Langeliers’ injury. Not only does Heim have one hit in his past 20 at-bats, but he also committed a crucial catcher’s interference error that gave Kansas City a free baserunner in its game-winning ninth inning rally.
The A’s offense will face Royals right-hander Seth Lugo. The 36-year-old enters his 26th start of the season with a 5-7 record, a 4.59 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP and 108 strikeouts over 139 1/3 innings. Lugo has struggled lately, posting a 4.66 ERA over his past seven starts. The 10-year veteran received a no-decision in his last start against the Los Angeles Angels after allowing five runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings.
Over his career, Lugo holds a 2-0 record with a 4.66 ERA and 26 strikeouts in four total appearances against the Athletics. The right-hander will aim to earn his third win against the A’s, but given his current run of form, tonight presents a great opportunity for the A’s offense to put more runs on the scoreboard. The Green and Gold must take advantage of any mistake pitches Lugo leaves over the plate if they want to hand him his first defeat against them.
And Kansas City’s lineup:
All of the Royals’ regulars are in the lineup, spearheaded by the duo of Witt Jr. and right fielder Jac Caglianone. Left fielder Tyler Tolbert gets his first start of the series after his game-tying, pinch-hit two-run single in the ninth inning last night.
Win #50 is waiting for us! We need this one. Let’s go A’s!
Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA
Listen:
Athletics -Talk 650 KSTE, A’s Cast
