Game #37: Athletics vs. Mariners Game Thread

Looking to tie the lead for the AL West

Back to it. The A’s won last night in epic walk off fashion for the team’s 20th victory but it’s time to turn the page and focus on today. The team is set to continue its series against the Mariners tonight at Sutter Health Park looking to win their second straight game against their division rival. A win would also draw these two teams even atop the AL West. Getting to first place this deep into May would be awesome.

The club will rely on left-hander Jeffrey Springs to help them get there. Overall Springs has had a difficult season, struggling in the first few frames in just about every start he’s had this season. He finally bounced back for a quality appearance his last time on the mound, firing off six shutout innings against the Texas Rangers while allowing just two hits. That was his best start of the season and hopefully it marks the beginning of Springs’ turn around. He’ll enter tonight looking to lower his 4.98 season ERA.

The starting nine for the Athletics tonight:

Same starting lineup as yesterday. Miguel Andujar will be making his first consecutive starts at third base since 2018. The rest of the batting order is what you’d expect, with Lawrence Butler leading off followed by Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom and Shea Langeliers batting cleanup.

They’ll be facing a well-regarded young pitcher in Seattle righty Emerson Hancock. The 25-year-old was the sixth overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft and shot through the minor leagues and appearing in each of the previous two years. He started this season in the Seattle starting rotation but a meltdown in his first start saw him return to Triple-A for a couple weeks. Since being recalled from Tacoma he’s looked much more confident and in command of his pitches, allowing five runs over 17 innings in three starts. It’s not going to be a cake walk for the offense tonight.

Looking to avoid two three straight losses Seattle’s starting lineup breaks down line this for the Tuesday night game:

Springs will get lucky tonight as Seattle will sit their offensive leader Cal Raleigh, instead going with their backup catcher Mitch Garver behind the plate. Garver is no slouch with the bat but this is definitely an easier lineup to face without the lead leader in home runs batting cleanup.

A win today and we’re tied for the division lead. Let’s go A’s!