The A’s need a reset fast.
After getting hit hard in a 9-4 loss to the Dodgers on Monday night, the club is back at it tonight trying to stop a three-game skid. The opener wasn’t kind to rookie Gage Jump, who turned in what was probably his roughest outing so far. Nights like that happen, especially against a Dodgers lineup loaded with star hitters, but the key for Jump and the A’s is making sure one bad start doesn’t linger.
The bigger picture is getting tight. At 40-45, the A’s sit fourth in the AL West, three games behind the division-leading Texas Rangers, who are at 43-42.
There are also two other teams ahead of them in the division, which makes the climb even steeper. They’re still only 2 1/2 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot, but if they keep sliding, catching that pack gets a lot tougher.
Tonight’s assignment doesn’t get any easier. The A’s are up against the reigning World Series champions again, and they’ll be leaning on Jeffrey Springs to steady things.
The veteran is trying to string together back-to-back quality starts, and that would go a long way toward giving Oakland a shot at win No. 41.
June has been a struggle for Springs, with an ERA nearing 10, though he did come off a solid outing last time against the Angels.
The offense has work to do, too. The A’s were missing Tyler Soderstrom, Jacob Wilson, Brent Rooker, and Zack Gelof last night, and those four are expected to be out a bit longer.
That leaves room for some younger players to grab hold of bigger roles. Colby Thomas made his case with a home run in the loss, and Joshua Kuroda-Grauer added another encouraging sign by delivering a three-hit debut that could help stabilize the infield.
First pitch is set for 6:40.
In Other News...
A's Suddenly Face A Big Kade Morris Decision
Kade Morris gave the Athletics another reason to keep him in the conversation with his three-inning relief stint against the Dodgers, a solid enough outing that only added to the intrigue around what comes next. He allowed three hits and struck out two, showing the kind of versatility that can matter for a team trying to patch together innings while dealing with injuries and uneven results elsewhere on the staff.
The real question now is whether Oakland views Morris as a rotation piece or a bullpen arm, because the answer could shape several moving parts on the pitching staff. The A's are weighing their options with other starters and relievers still trying to settle in, and Morris has suddenly become one of the more interesting decisions on the board. [Read more 🡒]
Athletics Bullpen May Finally Get The Lefty Fix Fans Need
The Athletics bullpen has been one of the bigger reasons the club has slipped in the division race, and the left-handed side of that relief mix has become a particular concern. Oakland has leaned on Hogan Harris, Jose Suarez and Matt Krook in those spots, but with Harris scuffling lately, the group has not given the staff much margin for error when games tighten up.
Help may be close at hand if the front office decides to stay internal. CD Pelham has put together strong numbers at Triple-A this season and has emerged as a name to watch for a possible call-up, giving the As a potential lefty fix without having to wait on a more complicated roster move. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Just Made A Pitching Change Fans Will Want To Watch
The Dodgers head into Tuesday nights matchup with the Athletics after opening the series with a 9-4 win, and the pitching setup already gives this one a different feel. Left-hander Justin Wrobleski is lined up to start for Los Angeles, while Jeffrey Springs gets the ball for Oakland, a pairing that shifts attention to how both lineups handle the first turn through the order.
Los Angeles also made a roster adjustment ahead of the game, recalling right-hander Wyatt Mills and designating Jonathan Hernndez for assignment. It adds another layer to a series that is still taking shape, especially with the Dodgers managing their pitching plan as they move through the week. [Read more 🡒]