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The A's are going streaking, having won four consecutive games to move one game above .500 at 9-8 and firmly in second place in the AL West, just three games back of first place Houston. Last year, the A's had a similar early season streak that pushed the team to three games over .500 on this date in 2016, before injuries and mediocrity took full effect and the team went into a tailspin from which it would not recover, last seeing a record over .500 on April 30th. However, unlike last year's roster, there is more talent on the big league level and waiting in the wings at AAA, and while the A's may not be right in the thick of the playoff chase in August or September, this team has the talent to avoid the worst of the bad stretches last year's team faced. The offense has been a surprising strength for the team up to this point in the season, with the veteran's acting as one year stopgaps for prospects have been enjoying a hot start to the year, and the pitching staff has weathered some very substantial, costly injuries without missing a beat.
The Mariners have really struggled away from home in April, amassing a 1-8 road record thus far, the worst in all of baseball. Today, they will be sending Ariel Miranda to the hill in an effort to stop their road skid, but he will be opposed by Jharel Cotton, who very well may be the most talented of all of the A's young starters, even if his results to start the season have led to less than stellar overall numbers.
First pitch is at 1:05. Lineups are below.
