The A's and new first baseman Daric Barton take on the Seattle Mariners, who have adequately returned the thrashing the A's gave them in 2006. Seattle has won 10 against the A's and only lost three in 2007.
But the game is secondary tonight. Ever since the A's traded Mark Mulder for Dan Haren, Kiko Calero and Daric Barton in the offseason of 2004, A's fans have waited for the day that Barton would join the team. Barton has been thought of as one of the best prospects in baseball for many years and the A's were right to be patient with him and let him work his way through the system. Barton now has 17 games to get his feet wet at the major league level. The experience could prove to be pretty valuable for a guy who will likely be a big part of the 2008 season.
The A's send Joe Blanton to the mound with his 12-9 record and 3.81 ERA to face off against Horacio Ramirez and his 8-5 record and 6.45 ERA.
The A's lineup looks like this:
Stewart
Scutaro
Swisher
Cust
Ellis
Johnson
Hannahan
Barton
Suzuki
I'm not sure how much time Mike Piazza will see the rest of the season considering he isn't a part of the A's future and the A's likely still have to make a decision on Dan Johnson.
The Mariners lineup looks like this:
Suzuki
Beltre
Ibanez
Guillen
Broussard
Vidro
Johjima
Lopez
Betancourt
Seattle still has a chance at the playoffs, albeit a bit remote at this point.
I'd still like to see the green and gold whoop some ass, even though I would've gladly taken the Mariners over the Angels in the West this year. Hell, I would've taken the Yankees or Giants over the Angels.
LET'S GO A'S!!!!!! GOOD LUCK, DARIC!
