Yes, it's me again. Twice in one week. Someone put a restraining order on me.
I dig this quote as provided by eddiemos:
And they couldn’t stop raving about our pitching staff. By the time Henry Rodriguez came in, they were incredulous. "Who is this guy throwing 101 on every pitch? This is just what the A’s need, another arm…"
Well, at least somebody notices. I mean, besides our dear manager:
"The pitchers are throwing strikes, not walking guys and making the other team put the ball in play, which is helping them go deep into games, but the defense has really helped them," manager Bob Geren told the Athletics’ official website. "It’s a big part of this streak, even if it’s something that might go unnoticed."
You have to go back to the days of Lefty Grove to find an A's squad that has boasted a stingier starting staff for a stretch this long. The '27 Athletics went 18 consecutive games in which their starter allowed three runs or fewer; this year's version can tie that mark tonight should Vin Mazzaro keep the Indians under four scores. Quality stuff.
And speaking of streaks, the A's go for their first sweep at Cleveland since August 19-22, when they were in the midst of running off 20 wins in succession.
But enough about the past. Your lineups (Justin Masterson takes the hill for Cleveland):