Game Thread #55: Athletics Versus Angels

Whether you call it a 6 or 9 game winning streak (yes, the Detroit rainout and ridiculous umpiring continue to rain on the A’s parade), the Athletics are on fire! All of MLB knows it, and this is best demonstrated by the Power Rankings posted last night:

Alyson Footer, MLB.com

The Athletics, currently 28-25 and in second place in the American League West, take on the Los Angeles Angels (24-28) at the Oakland Coliseum. A cooler day (61 degrees anticipated at first pitch), there is no rain expected though humidity is over 70%.

Today’s game will begin with the new Athletic versus the old Athletic. Taking the mound is Chris Bassitt, highlighted at the start of the May 23rd A’s Plus podcast with Scott Emerson, will bring what Emerson calls his “fiery approach” and “gamesmanship” to the mound. Bassitt is 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA in his 6 games this season. In 36.1 innings he has struck out 44 with a 1.07 WHIP. Born in the year of the last A’s World Championship, Bassitt epitomizes the possibilities and future of this club. By contrast, former Athletic and the A’s 2006 second round draft pick Trevor Cahill takes the mound with 6.43 ERA, up from 3.76 in 2018 with the A’s. Cahill has a 2-4 record in 10 games this season. Let the dual begin!

Meanwhile, how about those A’s bats?! Homers seem to be the norm these days: Chapman (13), Davis (12), Canha (8—3 of them in the last 7 days), and there sure seems to be enough doubles to go around: Chapman (13), Semien (12), Piscotty (10) Laureano (9—five of them in the last 7 days), Phegley (9), Pinder (9), Grossman (7). Ramon Laureano as an overall bat-on-fire is highlighted by RotoWire and rightly so:

RotoWire

Here are today’s lineups:

RotoWire