Game Thread #154: Oakland Athletics vs. Philadelphia Phillies

It's Oktoberfest at the Coliseum this afternoon as the Oakland Athletics face the Philadelphia Phillies in the second game of this three-game set. The first 10,000 fans will receive a plastic Oktoberfest stein (my 2013 version sits as my pens holder on my desk), and an expanded adult beverage selection is on offer at the O.co. First pitch today is at 1:05 pm Pacific Time.

The Athletics send left-hander Drew Pomeranz to the mound, substituting for Jason Hammel, who is away for the birth of his daughter. The Phillies send a familiar foe against Oakland, Jerome Williams, who overall did not perform well with the Angels. However, our Alex Hall mentioned this note in the comments of the series preview with the Good Phight:

He will be facing the A’s with his third team this year. He made two relief appearances against us with the Astros, then the Rangers picked him up to make a start against us in July.

Less fun fact: Williams recorded two wins in all of his 28 games in the AL this year. They both came against the A’s in those three games, including the start with Texas.

SO HAPPY TO BE SEEING YOU AGAIN, JEROME.

Josh Reddick returns to right field this afternoon, apparently recovered enough from his whiplash. Coco Crisp is just taking a rest day today. The center fielder has played in 14 consecutive games since returning from his own five-day break recovering from his fall at the wall in Angels Stadium at the end of August. Sam Fuld will be in center field, Brandon Moss in left, and Stephen Vogt at first base.

It is not clear whether Alameda native Jimmy Rollins will be available off the bench for the Phillies. He is said to be on the brink of returning.

Home plate umpire report: Jordan Baker

If we go by height, Jordan Baker is the Nate Freiman of umpires, though Baker is only 6'7". He is an inch taller than Tim McClelland. Baker was hired in this year's expanded umpire crews to accommodate the replay review crew in New York. Besides his height, Baker is most infamous for chewing a new piece of gum every half-inning, and disposing of it on the field:

Jordan Baker brings an umpire ERA of 3.83 to this game, just above the Major League Baseball ERA of 3.75. I've always thought his height sometimes causes him not to call the low strike, but I'm not sure if the data bears this out:

Notable notables

Interesting notes from today's Oakland Athletics Expanded Game Notes (PDF):

• The are 12-6 in interleague play this year. They have the fifth-best interleague record in MLB history, at 179-143. The Yankees lead that category at 192-130.
• A's starting pitchers are 3-6 with a 2.66 ERA over the last 15 games. The A's are 5-10 over that span.
• A's pinch hitters are 11 for their last 73 (.151) after going 19 for their first 64 (.297).
• Hitting streaks: Billy Burns 1 game; Coco Crisp 2; Adam Dunn 1; Jed Lowrie 2; Derek Norris 1; Josh Reddick 2; Eric Sogard 1; Geovany Soto 1.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy another edition of Oakland A's baseball!