After getting the day off yesterday, the Athletics are back in action tonight, opening a three-game weekend series against the Texas Rangers. The A’s enter the series with the worst record in baseball, a record highlighted by their dreadful 21-39 home mark—the second straight season in which the Green and Gold have failed to win games at Sutter Health Park.
A’s left-hander Gage Jump will face the Rangers for the first time in his young career, seeking to end his team’s losing streak for the second
straight start. The 23-year-old enters his 15th major league appearance with a 5-7 record, a 4.46 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP and 84 strikeouts over 72 2/3 innings.
Over his last four starts, Jump has alternated between good and bad performances. In his most recent outing against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, the southpaw earned the win after allowing two runs on six hits over six innings while striking out 11. His previous start, which was his most recent home performance, did not go as well. Facing the Detroit Tigers, Jump allowed six runs on four hits and six walks in 3 2/3 innings.
That pattern could point toward another difficult outing from Jump tonight, which would put the Athletics in a tough spot. Following two consecutive poor starts from other members of the rotation, the Green and Gold need Jump to deliver a second straight quality start. The less the team has to rely on its league-worst bullpen, the better its chances of winning.
Here’s how the Athletics’ lineup stacks up for the series opener against their divisional foe:
The A’s lineup has been decimated by injuries, with sluggers Shea Langeliers, Nick Kurtz and Brent Rooker all on the injured list. That said, this lineup gives the A’s their best chance to score some runs and win tonight.
Third baseman Zack Gelof returned from injury like he never left, hitting home runs in two of his first three games back. Right fielder Lawrence Butler is also heating up, looking to make it three straight games with a home run.
If the A’s want to win today, they must get contributions up and down the order. Shortstop Jacob Wilson, batting second, needs to show more patience by waiting for pitches he can drive rather than swinging at everything. His aggressive approach is limiting his ability to make an impact, contributing to a batting average well below what he posted during his impressive rookie season last year.
Meanwhile, Kumar Rocker will make the start for Texas. The 26-year-old right-hander enters his 23rd appearance and 21st start of the season with a 4-9 record, a 4.46 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP and 103 strikeouts over 111 innings. Rocker struggled in his last start against the Baltimore Orioles, taking the loss after allowing six runs on seven hits in just three innings.
This will be Rocker’s third start against the Athletics this season. He faced the Green and Gold twice in April, going 0-1 and allowing two runs in each outing. The current Athletics roster has hit .378 against Rocker in a limited 43 plate appearances, reaching base 19 times on 14 hits and 5 walks. Will that success continue this evening, or will Rocker find a way to neutralize the Athletics’ offense?
And Texas’ lineup:
Having been shut out last night in Anaheim, the Rangers will look to push runs across against the A’s struggling pitching staff. Veterans Brandon Nimmo and Corey Seager are threats from the left side of the plate, while first baseman Jake Burger, who hit three home runs when the Rangers came to Sacramento earlier this season, will look to do more damage at this hitter-friendly ballpark.
Let’s get back to our winning ways and send the Rangers to their fourth straight defeat. Let’s go A’s!
Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA
Listen:
Athletics -Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, A’s Cast
