Game Thread #80: Athletics vs Rays

A victory today means that the A’s will win their second series against the Rays in a little more than a week, and the team could potentially vault themselves into second place and a Wild Card spot. With the Houston Astros losing seven games in a row, first place is also still surprisingly within reach.

While the A’s have not had much success on Sunday’s this year, they may have a better shot today. Brett Anderson has been spectacular for the A’s of late and held the Rays at bay last week. Plus, if he doesn’t have his best stuff today, an off day tomorrow means that there can be all hands on deck in the bullpen. Also, while the Rays have been formidable opponents in both series, today’s game will be the 21st game they have played over the last twenty days, and the wear and tear of this stretch has been starting to show, with errors and poor play costing the Rays deeply this series.

First pitch is at 1:07. Lineups are posted below.