Game Thread #138: Athletics versus Angels

The Zach Neal versus Ricky Nolasco is rather indicative of how both seasons have gone for the A's and Angels season to date. Due to the rather uninspiring debut of Raul Alcantara, Detwiler was needed to pitch in emergency relief yesterday, moving Neal's start from yesterday to today. Zach Neal will likely be in the starting rotation for the remainder of the season for the Athletics, as Henderson Alvarez had another setback and Andrew Triggs and Sonny Gray are unlikely to pitch again this season due to their injuries, and is fulfilling the most important role he can at this point in the season despite his up-and-down results- logging innings to simply get the A's to the end of an unfortunate season.

September callups continuing to trickle onto the team, the A's now have two Alcantara's who have gotten off to shaky starts in their big league careers after Arismendy's callup today. When prospects are rushed to the majors without clearly defined roles, however, shaky starts are to be expected. Most may not be Raul's level of shaky, but shaky nevertheless. Hopefully the two have ample time soon, as the season reaches its end, to start to right their collective ships.

Lineups are below. First pitch is at 7:05.