Game #88: Athletics at Rays Game Thread

Looking to win two straight games and secure the series win early

Yesterday the A’s used some late-game heroics to beat the Tampa Bay Rays and take the first game of the three-game series. They’ll now go for their second straight win this afternoon, hoping to secure the series win and give themselves a chance to sweep the playoff-contending Rays.

Left-hander Jeffrey Springs will get the call for his 18th assignment of the season. The 32-year-old wrapped up his June with a solid 3.87 ERA over six starts, continuing to be a reliable and consistent starting option for the team. He’ll hope to lower his 4.30 season ERA with a quality outing against the team that traded him away to the A’s this off-season.

The A’s starting nine for tonight’s contest:

Shortstop Jacob Wilson was originally slated to handle shortstop and bat second tonight but was unfortunately a late scratch due to some hamstring soreness:

He’ll get the night off while Max Schuemann takes over for him at short.

Young outfielder Colby Thomas draws his first career start tonight as he’ll take over in left field for Tyler Soderstrom. Thomas, a right-handed bat, made an incredible play in the field last night but he’s still looking for his first big league base hoot. Maybe tonight’s the night he gets to take a memorable ball home. The rest of the lineup is full of the regular starters outside of Wilson.

The Rays will counter with Shane Baz. The former 1st-round pick is finally healthy for Tampa Bay and he’s been solid enough for the contenders, posting a 4.37 ERA over 16 starts this season. He’s been even more on a roll of late, sporting a 3.24 ERA over his previous five starts, including eight shutout innings in his most recent appearance. The A’s can’t take their foot off the gas against the former top prospect.

Tampa’s lineup for the middle contest:

Playing spoiler is fun. A win today and the A’s take the series and give themselves a chance at a series sweep tomorrow. We like that. Let’s go A’s!