The Oakland A’s are red hot and coming off an impressive week where they took two of three from the Angels in Anaheim and just swept a three game series against the Houston Astros. The A’s are 13-5 heading into this week’s action and have the best record in the American League. With all of that said, A’s fans are clamoring for a way to steady the bullpen, as several rocky appearances have led to the majority of the handful of losses the team has (in addition to “King Felix Hernandez”).
The battles against AL West foes continue this week as the A’s host the Texas Rangers for the first time this season for three games before heading back out on the road for a four game series in Houston to take on the Astros again.
Ron Washington’s club sits in the second position in the AL West with an 11-8 record. The Rangers are once again producing on the offensive end, with the second highest team batting average (.279) while scoring 80 runs going into Sunday’s game, good for eighth in MLB. Beyond Yu Darvish, the Rangers are struggling to get quality starts out of their rotation, while their bullpen also struggles.
Here are the start times (PT) and expected starting pitcher match-ups for the three game series:
Monday, 4/21 vs. Texas, 7:05pm, Yu Darvish (1-0) vs. Dan Straily (1-1)
Tuesday, 4/22 vs. Texas, 7:05pm, Nick Martinez (0-0) vs. Tommy Milone (0-1)
Wednesday, 4/23 vs. Texas, 12:35pm, Martin Perez (3-0) vs. Sonny Gray (3-0)
Predictions: Monday’s pitching matchup is a tough draw for the A’s. However, the team is hot and should be able to continue to win series and take two out of three at home. (The A’s have won five series in a row since opening up the season by losing two of three to the Indians.)
With no off day this week, the A’s will then have to hop on plane to Texas to take on the Astros once again. The clubs just wrapped up a three game series in Oakland this weekend and saw the A’s sweep the Astros once again. Oakland is 18-4 against the Astros since the team joined the AL West last season. There were some fireworks this past weekend between the clubs as Jed Lowrie laid down a bunt in the 1st inning with the A’s already having batted around and up 7-0. Bo Porter didn’t appreciate the jester and had a few words for Lowrie. After the game, Lowrie’s take on the situation:
“We’re talking about the 1st inning of a major league game. These games are important and there’s a lot on the line.”
The teams look to reacquaint themselves with one another for a four game series and here are the expected starting pitching matchups:
Thursday, 4/24 @ Houston, 5:10pm, Scott Kazmir (2-0) vs. Brett Oberholtzer (0-3)
Friday, 4/25 @ Houston, 5:10pm, Jesse Chavez (1-0) vs. Brad Peacock (2-1)
Saturday, 4/26 @ Houston, 4:10pm, Dan Straily (1-1) vs. Dallas Keuchel (1-1)
Sunday, 4/27 @ Houston, 11:10am, Tommy Milone (0-1) vs. Scott Feldman (2-1)
Predictions: Look for Oakland to win three of four and win another series and continue their domination against the Houston Astros.
Who’s Hot?
Since coming off of the DL, Craig Gentry has filled in nicely for the A’s and a dinged up Coco Crisp. In 18 AB’s, Gentry is hitting .389 and has shown off his speed on the bases with 3 steals already. Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Reddick both showed signs of life at the plate this week, with both batting well over .300 over the past seven days. Cespedes had three home runs over the past week, while Reddick had the walk-off base hit to defeat the Astros on Saturday afternoon.
The A’s top three in the starting rotation remain red hot, as Jesse Chavez leads the group with a 1.38 ERA. Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir remain undefeated, with a combined 5-0 record and both holding ERA’s under 2.00.
Who’s Not?
There are not many people struggling for the A’s club right now. Daric Barton remains cold at the plate in his limited playing time (.103 BA and only three hits in 29 AB’s). Dan Straily was roughed up in his last start against the Angels, giving up six earned runs in under four innings of work – thanks to the talents of Albert Pujols and Mike Trout.
A’s Roster Movement
While there was no players on the move this week from the major league roster, Billy Beane did strike a deal with RP Sean Doolittle. The left hander agreed to a contract extension that includes a salary increase for the 2014 season and includes club options for 2019 and 2020.