Reports of Brett Anderson's death may have been slightly exaggerated. However, Anderson is on the DL, Landon Powell is back in Sacramento, and bullpen reinforcements are on the way in the bodies of Cedric Bowers and Henry Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, Dallas Braden tries to give the bullpen a much needed breather and the team a much wanted win, as the A's enter play tied for 1st place and just 1.5 games in front of the Angels. Gabe Gross, who batted nearly .500 on the road trip, stole HRs and threw runners out at the plate like he was hitting wide receivers in the end zone, is in the lineup, as is Jack "I hit my HRs in bunches and I got my first one yesterday" Cust.