DLD 7/3/13: Fireworks Night Edition

As featured on the front page, Bleed Cubbie Blue's Al Yellon talks about his visit to the Coliseum, and he has some nice things to say, especially about A's Ticket Services.

Fangraphs' Michael Barr takes a look at a couple of third basemen, including Luis Valbuena, the one who manned the hot corner last night at the Coliseum and should remain there tonight and tomorrow.

David Laurila talked with Josh Outman about the current strike zone in baseball. Personally, I think the high strike is vanishing. Outman seems to think so as well.

Cincinnati media: a lot of you guys suck.

Tutu's favorite player, Alex Rodriguez, won't be ready to go for a little while.

Congratulations to Sonny Gray, who will be starting for the PCL in the triple-A All-Star Game on July 17. If you scroll down, you'll see that Gray was scratched from his River Cats start on Tuesday in case Jarrod Parker can't go Thursday afternoon. Steve Corkran makes Parker's chances of starting sound quite good.

Congratulations to Dan Otero on his first major league win.

Bartolo Colon is your AL Pitcher of the Month. Congratulations!

After an offseason of not getting Michael Bourn, Giancarlo Stanton, Nick Swisher, or any other free agent, the Rangers have made a move for an outfielder and it's ... Manny Ramirez?

On this day a year ago, the A's trailed the Red Sox 2-1 entering the ninth but walked off and won 3-2 in front of a sellout crowd.

Tonight's starting lineup is out, with John Jaso returning. He's all the way down in the seventh spot instead of hitting second. I'm not sure if BoMel is trying to give him an easy transition back or if it's just a testament to how deep this lineup is. Note that Stephen Vogt is still there, even with Jaso back. It can be assumed that he'll get sent down when the A's need another starter.