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Sonny Gray and the Oakland Athletics face Julio Teheran and the Atlanta Braves in the second game of this three-game set at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia.
Gray, a native of Smyrna, Tennessee, takes a 12-6 record and 2.86 ERA into the contest. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle noted in Friday evening's pre-game Drumbeat that "as many as 200 friends and family members will come from Nashville for the game." Gray has not faced any of the Braves in his short career.
The right-handed Julio Teheran brings a 10-9 record and 3.06 ERA to the hill for the Braves. He also has never faced any member of the opposition. From Scott Coleman of Talking Chop in our series preview:
Julio has become one of the better young pitchers in the game and it looks like that contract could be a nice value for the club once he hits his now-bought-out arbitration years. Teheran throws a low-90s fastball with a lot of movement, a big curveball and a changeup that's still improving. He's been one of very few bright spots in Atlanta this year.
For tonight's National League contest, the A's will leave the left-handed Sam Fuld and switch-hitting Andy Parrino on the bench. Remaining right-handed options are Nate Freiman, Derek Norris, and Jonny Gomes.
The Braves have just two left-handed batters in their lineup, Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman, despite facing the right-handed Sonny Gray. They leave left-handed batter Tommy La Stella, switch-hitters Ramiro Pena, Emilio Bonafacio, Ryan Doumit, and right-handed batter Gerald Laird on the bench.
Throwback night
In 1914, the Boston Braves swept the Philadelphia Athletics to win the 1914 World Series. The 1914 Braves were the "Miracle Braves" because they went from last place in the eight-team National League in early July to finish 70-19 to win the NL by 10½ games.
The #Athletics will wear these 1914 throwbacks for tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/775DzFYy8M
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) August 16, 2014
At Turner Field, hot dogs are a dollar and Cracker Jack, popcorn, and peanuts are 25 cents at "throwback" pricing in honor of the 1914 Miracle Braves. Of course, a 1914 dollar is almost $24 today, which is about right for ballpark food pricing.
First Pitch
Julio Teheran is scheduled to toss the first pitch to Coco Crisp at 4:10 pm Pacific Time. Let's go A's!
