Game Thread #149: A’s at Phillies

Good morning A’s fans!

This A’s conclude this season’s round of interleague play today in Philadelphia. Sean faces off against Henderson Alvarez. Manaea lasted just 3.2 innings in Boston on Tuesday, and will obviously look to improve upon that outing today.

The baseball world will be curiously watching Henderson Alvarez. He’s always been something of an enigma - even when successful, he’s never struck out many. He’s still just 27, and while he posted a 2.1 fWAR season for the Marlins in 2014, throwing nearly 200 innings, he hasn’t pitched in the majors since May 22, 2015. He attempted a comeback in the A’s organization in 2016 and was in an independent league as recently as last month.

Alvarez has made three starts in the Phillies organization since returning to affiliated ball and has apparently shown enough to earn a late-season cameo with the big club. Joey Wendle comes into the lineup for the A’s and plays second. Mark Canha starts in center. Full lineups are posted below and the first pitch is at 10:35 AM.

Let’s go A’s!