The A's look to what no A's team in the 2000s has and that's end a playoff series. Danny Haren takes the mound with his 14-13 record and 4.12 ERA. He will opposed by Bradke who is retiring after this season. He had a 12-9 record and a 4.32 ERA this year. Radke only started one game this past September, going five innings and only allowing three hits.
The A's lineup that will face Radke has only one change...the much discussion Ellis/Jimenez switch.
Kendall
Kotsay
Bradley
Thomas
Chavez
Payton
Swisher
Scutaro
Jimenez
I can understand not moving Chavez down today because of his numbers against Radke, .868 OPS and three home runs and two doubles in 40 ABs. Big Hurt has five home runs off Radke in 60 ABs and they know each other well from the time in the AL Central. Bradley and Swisher have had success against Radke in limited plate appearances too.
The Twins send out this lineup to try and avoid elimination:
Castillo
Punto
Mauer
Cuddyer
Morneau
Hunter
White
Tyner
Bartlett
The Twins, as a team, have batted .229 against Haren and have a .565 collective OPS. The team hasn't hit well against Haren in the past (except that first start in April this year). So things should line up nicely for the A's today.
Will they finally exorcise that demon or will that demon live another day? Let's hope they're demon-slayers.
LET'S GO OAK-LAND!!!!!!!
