Game Thread #97: A's at Angels

Well, that was a restful 5-day All-Star Break. Shall we play some baseball now? And by "baseball" I do not mean "make throws when you shouldn't, get picked off 1B, and let your rival's opposing pitcher run his consecutive scoreless innings streak against you to eleventeen-billion-and-two-thirds". Just so we're clear.

With a smile just like David Letterman's, but with better material to work with, Dan Straily tries to get the A's back on course against the familiar, and enigmatic, lefty C.J. Wilson. Today's "fun fact" (it's not fun): In 16 career IPs so far against the Angels, Straily has allowed 8 HRs. Oops.

Meanwhile, enter the A's "vs. LHP lineup," but without all the terrifying infield defense it can sometimes boast -- Brandon Moss is at 1B tonight with Nate Freiman serving as the DH. I can haz this the rest of the season? Grant Green (0 for 9) continues the search for his first major league hit, while Freiman might consider HRing for the first time since May 26th. With Yoenis Cespedes still nursing a sore left wrist, Chris Young is moved up to the #2 spot.

The lineups: