Open Thread: Game 108 - A's vs. Blue Jays

Welcome to the "2/3 mark". Wow. Oakland may be on a one-game losing streak following a disappointing "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" loss, but actually this morning everything appears to be rolling right.

- A.J. Griffin's injury, the tightness in his shoulder that took him out of yesterday's game after 1.2 IP, appears to be minor and in fact his placement on the 15 day DL seems to be more due to the A's need to bring a couple relievers on board than it is a need for Griffin to sit for as long as 2 weeks.

- Yoenis Cespedes, whose presence in the A's lineup is simply vital to Oakland's success, is already back in at DH. The "sprained wrist" he suffered during Friday night's caught stealing appears to have been downgraded to a "minor owie".

- Brandon McCarthy, who conveniently made his AAA rehab start the same day as Griffin threw for Oakland, dominated last night: 6 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K. Look for McCarthy to be activated Friday to start the series against the White Sox.

- The A's bullpen is suddenly a lot better rested, as Evan Scribner and Pedro Figueroa have been called up from AAA to replace Griffin (DL) and Michael Taylor (optioned back to Sacramento). Great move, IMO, going with 13 pitchers and only 3 players on the bench, with the A's bullpen battered and beaten -- having thrown an astonishing 18.1 IP in the last 48 hours.

Tommy Milone vs. Aaron Laffey in a rematch of the series finale in Toronto. The Blue Jays won that one 10-4; if the A's can turn the tables on that monstrosity, they can win the series.

The starting lineups feature the traditional 7-8-9 of "Yan, Moises, and Adeiny":