UPDATE: The A's-Rangers game is being delayed at the start by a rain delay. ETA for first pitch appears to be somewhere around 5:45pm-6:15pm PDT.
In an effort to give Trevor Cahill extra bullpen sessions between starts, and possibly to avoid having him face the Rangers' lineup in Arlington, Josh Outman has switched spots with Cahill and will make tonight's start (with Cahill going Saturday in Seattle).
As good as this could be for Cahill, it presents a real challenge to Outman against a lineup that eats up LHP and generally hits great at home. Here's where the A's may suffer for having four lefty starters in their rotation - only lefties will start in this series and that plays into Texas' strength.
On the mound for the Rangers is righty Vicente Padilla, who is as enigmatic as they come. Padilla can be brilliant and certainly has great stuff, or he can give up back-to-back-to-back HRs or he can decide to plunk a hitter in the 1st inning and opt for an early shower.
How about Cust batting in front of the heart of the order, not behind it? How about Chavez at 1B? Finally - a lineup that reflects some the random ideas I presented during the off-season!
