Game Thread #56: A's Vs. White Sox

After starting off their season red-hot in early April but turning ice-cold towards the end of that month and through mid-May, the A's are back to their winning ways. The men in white shoes haven't lost a series since visiting Texas May 13-15 and dropping two their first two games at the Ballpark in Arlington, and are fresh off of a convincing and exceptionally satisfying 3-1 series win against the San Francisco Giants. One of those wins even took place at what we now refer to as "ATandT" Park, a venue at which the A's have struggled over the past few years.

As I alluded to in the blurb above (and just now, actually), the fuss surrounding Jon Heyman's controversial tweet from Tuesday evening hasn't gone away. Clearly, I still think it's worth mentioning, for whatever that's worth. On TV, look out for some interesting Heyman-themed signage in the bleachers — I'd imagine that things will both literally and figuratively get colorful. As you can see below, Overstock.com and Visit Oakland (an Oakland tourism-promotion organization, in case you haven't heard of them) took it upon themselves to make some shirts that proclaim love for both the Coliseum and the City of Oakland; they were distributed for free across the city today and at the Coliseum. And yes, one was sent to Mr. Heyman himself. If he ever shows up at the Coliseum wearing it, I'll actually forgive him completely.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>More <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23colilove">#colilove</a> from @<a href="https://twitter.com/tommymilone_57">tommymilone_57</a> and @<a href="https://twitter.com/ryancook_48">ryancook_48</a> today @<a href="https://twitter.com/odotcocoliseum">odotcocoliseum</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23oakland">#oakland</a> <a href="http://t.co/BeDeXBHaaw" title="http://twitter.com/OdotCoCOLISEUM/status/340586127318712321/photo/1">twitter.com/OdotCoCOLISEUM…</a></p>— O.co Coliseum (@OdotCoCOLISEUM) <a href="https://twitter.com/OdotCoCOLISEUM/status/340586127318712321">May 31, 2013</a></blockquote>

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But back to baseball. Melvin is going with a lefty-heavy lineup tonight against the right-handed Axelrod (3-3, 4.21 ERA) — Cespedes and Donaldson are the lone right-handers in the A's starting 9.

Tonight we'll also see Josh Reddick return from a nagging wrist injury. He should be ready to go after rehab assignments at Stockton and Sacramento.

Colon looks to continue a fantastic start to the season. He's 5-2 with a 3.82 ERA and has been arguably the most consistent starter for the A's this year, along with A.J. Griffin. As the Oakland broadcasters say, today is Bartolo's happy day, and he looks to turn in another impressive performance, even by standards set for men closer to half of his age. Let's see if the A's can improve to 32-24 — if they can't, it would be such a #shame.

Lineups: