The A's open up an important three-game series against the Angels tonight at the Coliseum. Newly acquired Sean Gallagher, the key recipient in the Rich Harden trade to the Cubs, will take the hill for the A's against Jon Garland. And in the spirit of showing off shiny new toys, Matt Murton will also make his A's debut, batting second and playing left field.
Donnie Murphy gets another start at shortstop tonight in Crosby's absence.
The 50-42 A's enter this weekend's series five games back of Anaheim. If the A's sweep this weekend, they'll be only two games back entering the All-Star break and very much in the race. If the weekend ends with the A's eight games back, I'd consider that pretty close to insurmountable.
Here's hoping Murton and Gallagher have awesome Oakland debuts. Let's go A's!
