GameThread #66: A's vs. Yankees

Across the Bay, people are fretting over Pablo Sandoval's weight. I can't imagine complaining about a player who was the World Series MVP last year and has a career slash line of .303/.353/.489 but whatever.

Here in Oakland, we will celebrate our big bodied brethren tonight as Bartolo Colon takes on C.C. Sabathia in an extra-large matchup of AL Cy Young winners and former teammates (both with the Indians and the Yankees).

Colon comes in on a roll, allowing only three earned runs in his last four starts. The recent run has his ERA down to a cool 3.14. Sabathia started off the season strongly, but has displayed some chinks in his armor in a recent stretch of up-and-down starts. He has had an extra day of rest since his last start (a four run complete game victory over Cleveland) so he may come out with some extra firepower.

My main memory of Sabathia in Oakland was sitting by his mom at the Coliseum as I watched him mow down batter after batter. I think that's why I always imagine him to be dominant in Oakland. However, for his career he is only 4-5 with a 5.02 ERA pitching in front of his hometown crowd. Good news for the A's.

Regardless, the A's will have to hit better than they did over the weekend if they hope to repeat the success against CC.

The Yankees have won six out of their past seven, and the A's, as you know, have come off a recent 18-4 stretch of dominance. Two high powered teams playing well, separated by one game in the standings. Should be fun!

Also good to see that Rickey, unlike Reggie, has not forsaken the A's for the Yankees.

Here are your lineups:

LET'S GO OAKLAND!