Game #29: Athletics at Rangers Game Thread

Time to start the road trip on a winning note

Road trip! The A’s find themselves in the heart of Texas on Monday afternoon, set and ready to go against the division rival Rangers for the first of four at Globe Life Field.

On the bump for the Green & Gold to start the trip will be left-hander JP Sears. The 29-year old has gotten off to a terrific start here in his third season, pitching to a 3.21 ERA through his first five outings. He’s posted a quality start in all but one of his appearances and will look to continue his strong season tonight against the Rangers, who he just saw in his most recent start. Last time out he tossed five full inning of two-run ball, good enough for his third win of the season.

The Athletics will line up behind their starting pitcher like this tonight:

The big change is at the top of the lineup as Jacob Wilson will bat leadoff today. Regular leadoff man Lawrence Butler will slide all the way to sixth as he’s been struggling a bit at the plate recently. Rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz gets his first off day since his promotion. Tyler Soderstrom will slide back to his old position while Miguel Andujar gets the nod in left field tonight.

Texas will be going with a back=end starter today as they turn to veteran Patrick Corbin to take the ball to start the series. He’s had a quality start to the season as he sports a 3.77 ERA through his three starts this year. He faced the A’s last time out and held down the Athletics’ offense to just two runs over five innings, enough to earn him his second win in a Rangers uniform. Let’s not let him win his third today, shall we A’s?

Texas’ lineup for the series opener:

Let’s go A’s!