Game Thread #113: Athletics vs Orioles

Seeing Zach Neal, long-time minor league pitcher primarily logging innings for the Nashville Sounds, going up against the leading-all-of-baseball-in-home-runs-Baltimore-Orioles may bring one to jump to some dire conclusions before the first pitch of the game is even thrown. But before letting such dark thoughts cloud thy mind, Zach Neal has managed to post up 9 and 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings and is making the most of his opportunity with the regulars above him on the depth chart injured or reaching innings-limits. Most assuredly Neal will be looking to keep his hot streak alive and will be placing his best foot forward to give the A's a chance to win on a day most would assume the team would be conceding victory for the sake of the team's future arms.

Going up against Zach Neal is lefty Wade Miley, making his second start for the Orioles after getting traded from the Mariners after taking the loss against the Rangers in his first effort with his new team. Once a highly coveted arm, Miley has long been toiling in mediocrity whose role is more of an innings eater than a front-of-the-rotation arm. The game today has the potential to be a rather high-scoring affair, depending highly on which Zach Neal and which A's offense shows up today.

Lineups for tonight's game are below. First pitch is 7:05 PM.