After being swept by the Texas Rangers to begin the week, the Oakland A’s managed to only win two of four in Houston. The A’s have seen their bullpen blow several opportunities and continues to be the largest question mark for Bob Melvin.
After Sunday’s loss, the A’s were 0.5 games behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West, as Texas is currently playing their series finale this evening against the Seattle Mariners. The A’s and Rangers will meet again to start the week ahead as they continue their battle for division supremacy.
Here are the start times (PT) and expected starting pitcher match-ups for the three game series – including a national TV game on Monday night on ESPN:
Monday, 4/28 @ Texas, 5pm, Sonny Gray (3-1) vs. Yu Darvish (1-0)
Tuesday, 4/29 @ Texas, 5:05pm, Scott Kazmir (3-0) vs. Martin Perez (4-0)
Wednesday, 4/30 @ Texas, 5:05pm, Jesse Chavez (1-0) vs. Robbie Ross (1-1)
Predictions: The A’s need to return the favor but will have to face the aces of the Rangers staff again in Darvish and Perez. Oakland will win one of those two and Chavez will lead the A’s to the series win on Wednesday.
Without a day off since April 17th, the A’s finally get a day of rest on Thursday and will travel to Boston for a weekend series at Fenway Park. The World Series Champion Red Sox have looked very average thus far in 2014 with a 12-14 record after Sunday’s loss against the Blue Jays. The team is running in the middle of the pack both offensively and on the mound. The Red Sox are only batting .243 as a team (21st in MLB) and their pitching staff has a 3.80 team ERA (14th in MLB).
Here are the expected pitching matchups for the series:
Friday, 5/2 @ Boston, 4:10pm, Dan Straily (1-1) vs. Clay Buchholz (1-2)
Saturday, 5/3 @ Boston, 10:35am, Tommy Milone (0-2) vs. Jon Lester (2-4)
Sunday, 5/4 @ Boston, 10:35am, Sonny Gray (3-1) vs. John Lackey (3-2)
Predictions: The Red Sox will be entering the series off of an expected tough battle with the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday – Thursday. Look for Oakland to capitalize on their day of rest and win Friday and Sunday’s games at Fenway.
Who’s Hot?
Bob Melvin may need to move away from the Catcher by committee approach, at least for the time being as Derek Norris is red hot over the past week, going 8-12 with three doubles. Josh Donaldson’s bat has come to life as well, as he has four home runs over the past week while batting almost .400.
While his last two starts have come against the Astros, Scott Kazmir remains solid if not spectacular. His ERA is 1.62 on the season and the A’s have won all five games Kazmir has started this season. Coming out of the bullpen, Fernando Abad has yet to give up an ER in his 10 appearances.
Who’s Not?
Baseball is somewhat of a funny game, as Alberto Callaspo has been in the “Who’s Hot” section of the weekly write-up multiple times, but now finds himself here. Callaspo has struggled mightily this past week hitting .154 in 26 plate appearance. Since going 3-4 in the series opener against the Rangers, Coco Crisp has hit a bump in the road. Crisp was 2-18 in the series against the Astros this weekend.
Dan Straily has lost his last two starts, giving up six ER’s in under twelve IP’s. RP Sean Doolittle struggled this past week, earning two official L’s along the way. He blew the game against the Rangers on 4/21 and then got roughed up against the Astros on Saturday, giving up 4 ER’s without recording an out. This wound up costing the team the victory, as the A’s made a mini-comeback in the 9th only to fall short by one run.
A’s Roster Movement
On 4/21 the A’s claimed infielder Andy Parrino off waivers from the Rangers and sent him to Triple A (Sacramento River Cats). Parrino rejoins the A’s franchise after spending time with the club in 2013 before the Rangers claimed him off waivers earlier this year.
More bad news from the A’s starting pitching staff as AJ Griffin is seemingly likely to go under the knife and have Tommy John surgery. However, it is being reported that he will get another doctor’s opinion this Tuesday and will go from there.
Hearing from a reliable source that A.J. Griffin will probably have Tommy John surgery next week. #Athletics
— Joe Stiglich (@JoeStiglichCSN) April 25, 2014