On the surface, it looks like a great matchup for the A's today, with the red-hot Esteban Loaiza going against J.P. Howell, he of the 0-2 record, the 6.43 ERA, and the 1.71 WHIP.
However...Much of the damage against Howell, who has made four starts, was done in his first two starts, which were putrid. In his last two efforts, Howell has turned in a pair of "quality starts," posting a 3.55 ERA over 12.2 IP. And we know that the A's often struggle, at least the first time through the order, when faced with an unfamiliar pitcher.
The starting lineups suggest that Macha noticed that right-handed hitters are batting .338 against Howell:
Kendall
Kielty
Bradley
Thomas
Payton
Chavez
Swisher
Ellis
Scutaro
Baldelli
Young
Crawford
Norton
Wigginton
Navarro
Witt
Upton
Zobrist
