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The A’s and Angels lock up for game two of the three game mid-week series tonight from the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s find themselves entering tonight’s contest with three straight losses. This is the time of year, where every win counts and every loss stings, so tonight’s game has a feel of extra importance for the Green and Gold as they look to keep pace in the playoff chase.
A’s: LHP Brett Anderson (3-5, 4.35 ERA) vs. Angels: RHP Felix Pena (3-4, 3.75 ERA)
Brett Anderson takes the mound for Oakland tonight. He pitched five innings of two run ball in his only appearance (August 10th) against the Halos in 2018 . Kole Calhoun connected for a homerun off the lefty and Anderson struck out four. In that same game in Anaheim, Angels righty, Felix Pena, started as well. Khris Davis and Matt Chapman went “Yard” against Pena that day. Pena also appeared in relief against the A’s back in April (4/8) and Matt Joyce ambushed him for a solo homer in that one. Joyce isn’t starting tonight, but Ramon Laureano is. Count tonight’s starter, Brett Anderson, as a big fan of “Laser” Lauraeano.
Ramon Laureano is a walking spark plug
— Brett Anderson (@_BAnderson30_) August 29, 2018
The A’s are looking for a clutch offensive spark plug from “Doubleano” and others tonight, as they come into the game with just six hits in their last 25 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Tonight’s Line-ups (7:05pm, 66 F at Gametime)
A’s Magic Number at 7 Games to Clinch a Wild Card Spot with 10 Games Left to be Played
The Rays (5.0 games behind the A’s for the 2nd Wild Card) already won today, 9-3 over Texas and have won 5 straight games. The Yankees (2.5 games ahead of the A’s for the 1st Wild Card) are playing the Red Sox tonight in New York and the Astros (5.0 games ahead of the A’s in the AL West) are hosting the Mariners in Houston. With 10 games to play, the ability to catch the Astros for the AL West title is narrowing, but the Yankees are still within reach (the A’s need to finish at least 0.5 games ahead of the Yankees to host the Oct 3rd Wild Card game).
*Seattle has jumped out to an early 5-0 lead over Houston thru 5 innings
**Yankees are knocking around the Red Sox, 8-1 thru six innings
