Oakland A’s announce roster for Wild Card Game

The Oakland A’s are gearing up for the 2018 AL Wild Card Game on Wednesday, and in the morning they announced their roster for the game. First pitch is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. PT, and it will be televised on TBS.

There are 11 pitchers on the squad. That includes opener Liam Hendriks, who will throw at least the 1st inning, as well as traditional starter Edwin Jackson and nine other relievers. It’s not yet clear how the A’s will manage their staff in the game after Hendriks.

Here are the 25 players suiting up this evening (lefties and switch-hitters denoted with L or S):

Pitchers

• Ryan Buchter (L)
• Jeurys Familia
• Liam Hendriks (opener)
• Edwin Jackson
• Shawn Kelley
• Emilio Pagan
• Yusmeiro Petit
• Fernando Rodney
• Blake Treinen
• Lou Trivino
• J.B. Wendelken

Catchers

• Jonathan Lucroy
• Josh Phegley

Infielders

• Franklin Barreto
• Matt Chapman
• Jed Lowrie (S)
• Matt Olson (L)
• Chad Pinder
• Marcus Semien

Outfielders

• Mark Canha
• Khris Davis
• Matt Joyce (L)
• Ramon Laureano
• Nick Martini (L)
• Stephen Piscotty

There aren’t really any surprises here. The bench is likely to include Phegley, Barreto, Canha, Pinder, and Joyce, though there has been a push in the Athletics Nation community to get creative and start Joyce as a lineup opener just for one at-bat in the 1st inning. The A’s will face Yankees starter Luis Severino, a fireballing right-hander.

As for the pitchers, Wendelken is the least familiar name of the group. He didn’t get much run in the majors this year, but he was excellent in Triple-A and impressive in a September call-up to Oakland. Here’s more on the right-hander.

Of course, however the pitchers end up being arranged, the focus will be on Blake Treinen. The closer just put up one of the best seasons ever by an MLB reliever, and he will surely be counted on for crucial innings on Wednesday.

Yankees roster

New York also announced their roster.

Pitchers

• Dellin Betances
• Zach Britton (L)
• Aroldis Chapman (L)
• Chad Green
• J.A. Happ (L)
• Jonathan Holder
• Lance Lynn
• David Robertson
• Luis Severino (starter)
• Masahiro Tanaka

Catchers

• Kyle Higashioka
• Austin Romine
• Gary Sanchez

Infielders

• Miguel Andujar
• Didi Gregorius (L)
• Adeiny Hechavarria
• Gleyber Torres
• Luke Voit
• Tyler Wade (L)
• Neil Walker (S)

Outfielders

• Brett Gardner (L)
• Aaron Hicks (S)
• Aaron Judge
• Andrew McCutchen
• Giancarlo Stanton

They’re carrying 10 pitchers, including three extra starters in the bullpen (Happ, Tanaka, Lynn).