The fan base in Oakland is getting a little nervous after the past week of action from the Athletics on the road in Kansas City and Atlanta. After losing three of four to the Royals, the A’s stumbled out of Atlanta losers of five straight for the first time this season -- which has them tied with the Angels for first place in the AL West and for the best record in the Majors.
Oakland returns home this week for a quick two game series against the New York Mets and then an enormous three game weekend series against the aforementioned Angels. With an off day on Monday and Thursday this week, the A’s have a great opportunity to rest up and wake up their bats. The team can’t overlook the Mets, who split with the A’s earlier this season in New York.
Here are the expected pitching match-ups for the two game series against the Mets:
- Tuesday, 8/19, 7:05 p.m. Pacific Time, Dillon Gee (4-5) vs. Scott Kazmir (13-5)
- Wednesday, 8/20, 12:35 p.m. Pacific Time, Zack Wheeler (8-8) vs. Jeff Samardzija (3-2)
Predictions: The A’s have to use this as an opportunity to “get hot” ahead of their series with the Angels, without looking ahead of the Mets. The A’s will take both games, as they have favorable pitching matchups.
The schedule makers seem to have done the A’s a favor by giving them an off day on Thursday -- ahead of the three game weekend series with the Angels. Conversely, the Angels will be flying into Oakland on Thursday night after a four game series in Boston -- including a game on Thursday night.
At the start of the week, the A’s hold a one game lead over the Angels in the AL West. This series will be the start of ten remaining match-ups between the two teams, with two three game series in Oakland and a four game series in Los Angeles. For the second week in a row, the A’s will play under the lights on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball.
Here are the expected pitching match-ups for the weekend series:
- Friday, 8/22, 7:05 p.m. Pacific Time, Hector Santiago (3-7) vs. Jason Hammel (1-5)
- Saturday, 8/23, 6:05 p.m. Pacific Time, CJ Wilson (9-8) vs. Sonny Gray (12-7)
- Sunday, 8/24, 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Jered Weaver (13-7) vs. Jon Lester (13-8)
Predictions: Despite the pitching matchup and a struggling Jason Hammel, look for the A’s to capitalize on a tired Angels club and take the series opener and then take one of the two remaining games to give Oakland the series win and remain atop the AL West.
Who’s Hot?
Brandon Moss broke out of his slump this past week, hitting .438 heading into Sunday night’s game, going seven for his last 16 to go with five walks. Stephen Vogt continues to win over Athletics Nation with another strong week, hitting .350 over the past seven days.
Who’s Not?
Excluding Tuesday’s eleven run, twenty hit outburst against the Kansas City Royals, almost the entire A’s offense has been struggling. Coco Crisp has been stone cold over the past week at the top of the A’s lineup, batting .083 heading into Sunday night’s game. Josh Reddick has only been slightly better, hitting .208 over the same period of time.
Sonny Gray has lost his last four starts and his record has dropped to 12-7 on the year. His ERA has bounced from 2.59 to 2.99 based on his last three starts and he has struggled to get past the sixth inning in two of those starts. Scott Kazmir has given up at least three runs in each of his past three starts, with the A’s dropping two of the three.
A’s Roster Movement
Shortstop Jed Lowrie was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured finger and infielder Andy Parrino was recalled from the minors. Lowrie was trying to play through the injury but it wasn't working out for him or the club.
Lowrie headed to the DL: "It’s not what I wanted to do. I think it’s ultimately the best thing.” http://t.co/5O0wmoKm9r
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) August 14, 2014