San Francisco Chronicle A's beat writer Susan Slusser has an early scoop on Oakland's lineup today (she usually does), and apparently, Adam Dunn won't be in that lineup despite a right-handed opposing pitcher in James Shields.
The lineup hasn't been posted yet but heard it was the same as the other day but with Fuld in and Dunn out. #Athletics
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) September 30, 2014
[Update: The lineups listed below are now official]
Dunn, notably, has never been to the playoffs throughout his nearly two-decade career. But holding him out of the lineup allows Sam Fuld to play left, pushing Stephen Vogt to first and allowing Moss to man the DH position, sore hip and all. With Fuld, Crisp, and Reddick across the outfield, the A's have their strongest possible defensive alignment.
Geovany Soto is catching, heeding AN's call from yesterday - Oakland will need him to stop Kansas City's impressive base-stealing tactics if and when Lester allows a baserunner.
Nick Punto is available off the bench as a late-inning defensive replacement, and Dunn is available to pinch-hit at any point against a right-handed arm out of the Royals bullpen.
Not using Dunn is certainly an odd choice, but we don't know what Melvin knows. He might be hurt; he might be sick; the A's might have decided to value every speck of defensive ability more than they have for any other game; Melvin might simply want him available off the bench in the late innings of what he assumes will be a close game. Since Moss is DHing, Dunn will likely sub in for a position player against a right-handed reliever; he could replace Sogard or Soto, then return to the bench as Punto or Derek Norris enter the game.
Oh, and for his career, Dunn is 7 for 35 against Shields with only one home run. There you go.
First pitch is at 5:07pm Pacific.