A’s vs. Rays game thread

Looking to get back in the win column

Last night saw Oakland suffer a tough 1-0 defeat. Luckily in baseball you don’t have to wait too long to get another chance to win. That’s just what our A’s will do tonight in game three of four against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Rookie righty Mitch Spence is set for his 17th start of the season after starting the year in the bullpen. As is the case with a lot of rookie pitchers Spence has had his highs and lows this season. HE started strong in his first few starts before slowing down before the All-Star Break, and then came out of the break looking refreshed, pitching into the sixth inning in each of his first four starts since the Midsummer Classic. His most recent start was a dud as he couldn’t make it through three innings against the Mets so he’ll be looking to get back on track tonight against a Rays team fading from the postseason race quickly.

Here is how the Athletics will line up tonight behind Spence:

The top half remains the same as last night’s even after the top four hitters went a combined 1-for-15 with a single and a walk yesterday. We got some shuffling elsewhere lower down the order though. Starting catcher Shea Langeliers gets the night off after starting the past seven games, a well-deserved break for the backstop. Tyler Nevin gets the start at the hot corner over Abraham Toro and Mac Shuemann is back in their at shortstop tonight with Darell Hernaiz available off the bench.

They’ll be facing Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot. A long-time Dodgers top pitching prospect, Pepiot was traded to the Rays over the offseason and has gotten his first extended look as a big league starting pitcher. The early returns for Tampa Bay have been impressive as the rookie has an above-average 3.69 ERA over 18 starts. He’s been pitching particularly strong over his most recent starts but is also approaching his career-high in innings pitched.

Tampa Bay’s lineup for game three:

We wont the first game and they won the second. Tonight would be a great time to secure the win and go for a 3-1 series against their AL East foe. Let’s go A’s!