Game Thread #133: A's vs. Angels

The A's will look to clinch their second series in a row and continue their way-too-late surge tonight. More importantly, they'll look to further ruin the Angels hopes of making another postseason run. Hey, if we're going to play spoiler, there's no better team to spoil.

Cody Martin (2-3, 5.40) is a 25-year-old rookie the A's acquired for an international bonus slot back in July. He's not a typical depth-and-only-depth 7th starter – there's upside here, and he's still young. He had a 9.97 K/9 in 21 innings this year, and put up a 2.10 ERA/2.80 FIP in AAA the first half of this year. However, he's had trouble with his control, and since coming to the A's organization, he's scuffled to the tune of a 5.33 ERA. We'll see which Martin we end up with tonight.

The Angels will counter with Matt Shoemaker (6-9, 4.48). He hasn't been great since his incredible emergence out of nowhere last year – the strikeouts are down, the walks are up, and he's giving up a whopping 1.53 HR/9. Last time the A's faced him, he gave up 5 ER over 4 innings.

The A's lucked out by facing the Angels when, according to Jeff Sullivan, Mike Trout ain't right.

Here are the lineups, featuring... Eric Sogard leading off. Okay.

Baseball!