Things are not going well for the A’s right now. Losers of eight straight, the A’s are getting awfully close to the Angels at the cellar of the American League. Ideally let’s stay out of worst place the rest of the season. The club has a tall task in front of them though as they travel to the home of the hottest team in the entire league. So naturally the A’s will sweep them, right?
It’ll be right-hander Jack Perkins getting the ball this evening looking to be the stopper for the squad. The young
arm has had a tough overall year, whether in the bullpen or in the rotation. He got off to a decent start here in the second half before getting roughed up for six earned runs last time out. On the bright side, the start before that was against these same Red Sox and he had arguably his best start as a big leaguer, firing 5 2/3 innings while allowing just two runs in an eventual Boston win.
Here’s the Athletics’ lineup for the series opener:
The club is mixing things up a bit with Bolte/Wilson atop the lineup, followed by Heim and Soderstrom in their usual positions of catcher and left field.
We’ll see Tommy White at third base this evening, meaning Max Muncy is at the hot corner tonight. Brian Serven is serving as the DH tonight with Lawrence Butler in right, and the club will see a new face in Jonathan Ornelas at the keystone.
Meanwhile Boston has their own young starter on the bump tonight in Payton Tolle. Tonight’s contest is a rematch between these two pitchers from last week, when Boston took the win. The left-handed Tolle, in his first extended look in the Red Sox rotation, has a 3.18 ERA in 18 starts, which has been a huge reason why Boston looks postseason bound.
And Boston’s starting nine tonight:
Red Sox on a winning streak, A’s on a losing streak. You’d be a fool to bet against us tonight. Let’s go A’s!
Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA
Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, A’s Cast
