The Athletics are riding a wave of momentum after their gritty series against the Giants, taking that energy into the first matchup against the Angels. Sitting at 40-42, they're just 1.5 games shy of the Mariners for the A.L.
West lead. But with the Rangers and Astros nipping at their heels, the A's can't afford to drop another game in this series.
J.T. Ginn has been a stalwart on the mound for the Athletics this season.
Sporting a 6-4 record with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP, he's been the go-to guy. Yet, his last two outings have been a bit rocky, surrendering six runs and 14 hits over 11.1 innings.
While this might raise eyebrows, there's no need for panic. If this is the roughest patch Ginn faces, he's still having a commendable season.
His upcoming start against the Dodgers will be a real test of his resilience and skill.
The bottom of the A's lineup has had its struggles this season, but they found their groove against the Angels. Max Muncy chipped in with two hits and a run, Jeff McNeil went 1-for-4 with two RBIs, and Alika Williams added a score and an RBI.
When the lower half of the order heats up, it spells good news for the Athletics. It sets the table for players like Henry Bolte and Nick Kurtz to capitalize on RBI opportunities, boosting the team's overall confidence.
Speaking of Bolte and Kurtz, they've stepped up as the new leadoff duo since Zack Gelof's injury. Bolte's blazing speed is a game-changer.
If he reaches base, the odds are high that Kurtz will drive him in. This isn't a knock on Gelof-he was excellent at setting up Kurtz, too.
But the chemistry between Bolte and Kurtz is undeniable. Bolte's ability to turn a single into a scoring chance with a stolen base is precisely what the A's need right now.
Expect this dynamic duo to be a staple in the lineup moving forward.
In Other News...
A's Suddenly Face A Brutal Deadline Decision As Injuries Mount
The Athletics slide has gotten hard to ignore at exactly the moment they need stability the most. After spending time atop the AL West, theyve tumbled to fourth place and are now trying to keep pace in a crowded Wild Card picture, all while a spate of injuries has thinned out the roster and made every game feel a little more precarious.
Zack Gelof and Luis Severino are already part of the injury backdrop, and the uncertainty around Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom only adds to the pressure on a club that still believes it has a path back into the race. With the trade deadline approaching, the As have to decide whether to lean on what they have or push for outside help, especially if they want to turn this rough stretch into something more sustainable. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Just Got Deeper Right Before Facing The As
The Dodgers arrive in Oakland to wrap up a nine-game trip with a little extra lineup punch, and it comes at a tricky time for the Athletics. Los Angeles has activated outfielder Teoscar Hernndez and cleared the roster spot by sending rookie Ryan Ward to Triple-A, giving a contender another experienced bat just before a three-game set begins at the Coliseum.
Oakland will have its own rookie on the mound in Gage Jump, while Eric Lauer gets the start for Los Angeles after working his way into the rotation plans. For the As, the challenge is obvious: slow down a deeper Dodgers attack and keep a tight game early, even with a fresh arm across from them in the opener. [Read more 🡒]
As Suddenly Face A Youth Movement Test Nobody Wanted
The latest shuffle around the infield and bullpen says plenty about how quickly the Athletics depth chart can change. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer was selected from Triple-A Las Vegas, while Kade Morris and Darell Hernaiz were also brought back up, giving the club another round of fresh faces to sort through as it tries to patch together a lineup and pitching staff on the fly.
Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom both landed on the 10-day injured list, and Jos Suarez went on the paternity list, so the As had to create room however they could. Michael Kelly was the roster casualty this time, a reminder that every injury ripple can force a move even before the front office gets a chance to settle on the next version of the roster. [Read more 🡒]