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Today's match-up tells me runs will be scored, and in the first nine innings this time!
Scott Feldman (5.09 ERA) faces off against Kendall Graveman (6.94 ERA). As the ERA indicates, Graveman's Spring Training performance has failed to translate into the regular season. In three starts he has twice failed to get out of the fourth inning. The A's needing five relievers last night combined with Jesse Chavez most likely unavailable due to his Thursday start and we can expect the Astros to have opportunities.
All is not lost, however, because Burlingame High School alum Scott Feldman takes the mound for Houston. Feldman was serviceable in his last start, but on April 13 in Houston the A's lit him up for seven earned in 5.0 innings, including a monster 3-run blast from Billy Butler. For his career, Feldman is 5-9 against the A's with a 5.85 ERA. Expect crooked numbers early.
In terms of the line-up, with Zobrist mercifully hitting the DL we have Max Muncy on the major league roster making the start at 3B. Today will be the Texas native's Major League debut, but the vast majority of his Minor League experience has been at 1B (290 games at 1B vs. 23 at 3B). Surely he can field the position better than Alberto Callaspo, though . . . right?
Beyond Muncy, we have the A-team in today with Stephen Vogt, Sam Fuld, Josh Reddick, and Ike Davis all starting.
