Yesterday, the Athletics snapped their two-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins in the opener of a three-game series. This evening, the A’s seek to make it two straight wins and clinch the road series.
Transaction Time
Before the game, the A’s made a couple transactions:
The “Big Amish” is back, a welcome sight for an A’s offense that sorely missed Kurtz’s presence in the middle of the lineup during his absence with a thumb
injury. With Kurtz returning, infielder Max Muncy heads back to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he should receive more consistent playing time while continuing to refine his offensive approach and his defense at third base and left field.
That was not the only notable move the team made this morning. According to ESPN reporter Jeff Passan, the Athletics also signed 38-year-old left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel, a former Cy Young Award winner, to a minor league contract. The veteran, who last pitched in the major leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024, will join Muncy at Triple-A.
Given the team’s season-long pitching struggles, it appears the Athletics are willing to explore every option now that they have fallen out of contention. It will be interesting to see how Keuchel performs with the Aviators and whether he earns another major league opportunity over the final two months of the season.
Game Preview
As mentioned in yesterday’s post-game article, the A’s are using a bullpen game today. Breakout right-hander J.T. Ginn was lined up to start; however, he landed on the injured list a few days ago with a blister.
Left-handed reliever Brady Basso will be the first A’s pitcher to take the mound this evening. He will probably pitch the first inning or two before turning things over to Mason Barnett, Luis Morales and the rest of the bullpen to handle the remainder of the game. It is unlikely that the A’s pitching staff will keep the Twins offense off the scoreboard once again, but the team just needs to keep the game close and give its offense a chance to rally.
The Twins will counter the A’s bullpen game by giving the ball to right-hander Michael Paredes, who enters his 10th game and sixth start of the season with an 0-3 record, a 4.72 ERA, a 1.43 WHIP and 19 strikeouts over 34 1/3 innings. Having pitched just three innings in his last outing, Paredes may not last long before turning things over to the Twins’ bullpen.
The A’s will send out the following lineup against Paredes:
Kurtz slots in as designated hitter for his first game back, a decision likely to reduce the risk of the star slugger re-aggravating his thumb injury while playing first base. Jonah Heim will be behind the plate, with starting catcher Shea Langeliers receiving a rare day off. For the second consecutive game, the A’s will need production from the bottom of the lineup to secure a series victory with a game to spare.
The Athletics’ pitching staff will take on this Twins’ lineup:
The Twins starting nine is slightly changed today. Left fielder Trevor Larnach, second baseman Kody Clemens and right fielder Alan Roden will make their first starts of the series for a Twins offense looking to bounce back after being shutout last night.
Time to make it two wins in a row and claim a long-awaited series victory. Let’s go A’s!
Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA
Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, A’s Cast
