Tonight, the A's are trying to keep several streaks going, looking for their 9th consecutive win, their 7th consecutive series win, and their 20th win in the last 23 times playing host to the Whitesox. Kirk Saarloos makes his first start since throwing 125 pitches in a complete game shutout 9 days ago. Los Kirk is opposed by Jon Garland, proud owner of a 12-3 record and an April shutout against the A's.
One storyline to follow: After closing out 6-2 wins on Thursday and Friday, will Huston Street be available if the A's have a save situation tonight, and if so will he be at his most effective? Questions were raised on last night's thread about whether Huston's delivery brings him off the rubber by the time he releases the ball (thus making his fastball better either by changing the angle or by shortening the distance). I just thought I'd point out that an opposing manager voiced this complaint of an A's pitcher about 20 years ago (the umpires did not agree). The manager was Billy Martin. The pitcher he was trying to rattle: Curt Young.
Tonight's starting lineups:
Podsednik
Harris
Thomas
Konerko
Pierzynski
Rowand
Perez
Crede
Uribe
Kendall
Kotsay
Crosby
Chavez
Hatteberg
Kielty
Johnson
Swisher
Ellis
