The end of spring is near as today begins the 10 day count down to opening day. That is all that stands in the way between now and the start of the regular season. The colorful banners will be placed across the stadium, opening day logo painted on the field, and a feeling of new hope will have its place around the Oakland Coliseum in the matter of days. The sounds of drums in right field and the first "Let’s Go Oakland!" chant during a big rally will be heard throughout the stadium next Thursday and we will all know baseball is back and here to stay. 10 days. Now that I think about it, it still feels too long.
That’s alright because we still have some spring training games to get us through the end of this long offseason. It’s the last week in Arizona before flying back home for the Bay Bridge Series, and guys are looking to get their last glimpse of practice baseball in the desert. Likely opening day starter Kendall Graveman is going today on the mound against the Dodgers. Graveman has not been official announced for opening day but his turn has been scheduled to come up for that exact day and he was the opening day starter last year. The rest of Oakland’s roster is still taking its final shape heading into the conclusion of Cactus League play. The roster has trimmed down significantly in recent days, but will still be featuring players from minor league camp. Today they will be borrowing Nick Allen from minor league camp to start at SS. Allen will get his opportunity to put his defense on display on national TV as the game will be airing on MLB Network. The rest of the lineup will also feature Jonathan Lucroy who is getting as many at bats as he can before the season starts after signing late in the offseason and the red hot Sheldon Neuse who has been making a loud noisy when he makes contact so far this spring. Chad Pinder will be making playing some First base, a position he may be asked to fill in again during the season. They will be facing off against Dodgers Lefty Alex Wood tonight.
News and Notes:
No rotation updates just yet, but, another note, Melvin spoke highly of Neuse. Said his approach at the plate might get him to the bigs sooner than we might think.
— Julian McWilliams (@JulianMack105) March 19, 2018
Melvin, asked if Nick Allen will play the whole game tonight, responds with a grin, "I don’t know the last time I had a backup for a 19 year old."
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 19, 2018
Source confirms what @JonHeyman just said: Trevor Cahill gets $1.5 million from A’s on one-year deal.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) March 19, 2018