Game Thread #150: A's vs. Rangers

Coming off two huge wins in Seattle, the A's return to Oakland for the year's final homestand.

As difficult as it is to believe that the regular season is already winding down, it's the truth. Thankfully, the A's get as gentle a homestand as they could reasonably ask for, with three games each against Texas, Philadelphia, and Anaheim, in that order.

Tonight's game is the first in the set against the Rangers, and the pitching responsibilities for Oakland lie with Scott Kazmir, who looked fantastic in his most recent start, which came against the White Sox, and seems to have recovered somewhat from a dreadful August.

Opposing Kazmir is Texas' Nick Tepesch, who sports a 4.47 ERA this season. The A's, as they are want to do against right-handed pitching, have stacked their lineup with left-handers — the only righties featured tonight are Derek Norris and Josh Donaldson.

Stephen Vogt is reportedly making good progress in returning from an ankle injury, though he's not expected in the lineup until later in the week. Meanwhile, John Jaso seems destined to remain sidelined for the rest of the season, meaning that since Vogt still can't catch, Oakland's phenomenal catching platoon won't be a factor down the stretch and through any postseason play.

The Rangers' lineup tonight is a mere shell of what it was supposed to be as of Spring Training. Prince Fielder and Shin Soo Choo are both absent due to injury, making way for a familiar face — Adam Rosales — to play first base, in all likelihood continuing the trend of former A's tormenting their ex-employers.

First pitch is at 7:05pm. If the game sucks, see if you can walk next door and snag a ticket to see Yanni.