Game #141: A’s vs. Yankees

On a night when the Oakland A’s celebrate their past with their first hall of fame class officially inducted, the A’s will also be focused on their present, as they play a crucial game against the New York Yankees tonight at the Coliseum.

A’s Right-hander, Mike Fiers, (10-6, 3.38 ERA) takes the mound going up against Yankees ace righty. Luis Severino (17-6, 3.32 ERA). Exactly four weeks from tonight, we may be looking at the same two teams and the same two starting pitchers going toe to toe in the American League Wild Card Game from Yankee Stadium the Oakland Colisuem.

Here are tonight’s line-ups:

Bob Melvin Going With a Righty Dominated Line-Up vs. Severino
In a bit of a head scratcher, the A’s line-up includes only two lefthanded bats (Jed Lowrie and Matt Olson) tonight. Righthanded batter, Ramon Laureano, gets the start in center field and in the lead-off position over Dustin Folwer (Left) and righty Chad Pinder gets the start in left field over Matt Joyce. Luis Severino’s splits indicate he is tougher on righties (.227) than lefties (.247). However, he has allowed 13 of his 19 home runs on the season to righthanded batters, so maybe that went into Melvin’s line-up decision.

First Oakland A’s Hall of Fame Class Inducted Tonight
Oakland A’s legends, Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Rickey Henderson, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Dave Stewart and former A’s owner Charlie Finley will be officially enshrined as members of the inaugural class of the Athletics Hall of Fame before tonight’s game. Kudos to Dave Kaval the front office staff who continue to honor the A’s rich history in such meaningful ways during this 50th anniversary season in Oakland. Of the seven inaugural members, who stands out as our favorite Oakland A?

A’s Bullpen Availability Tonight
Daniel Mengden (51 pitches last night), Jeurys Familia (29 pitches last night), Fernando Rodney (28 pitches last night) and Shawn Kelley (finger laceration from a kitchen knife) are likely unavailable tonight. With those four relievers unavailable, the A’s bullpen will be likely lined up in this way tonight:
Relievers if the A’s tie or are ahead (+)
Blake Treinen (RHP - Closer)
Lou Trivino (8th inning set-up)
Yusmeiro Petit (6th or 7th inning)
Ryan Buchter (LHP - LOOGY)
Cory Gearrin (RHP - 5th or 6th inning)

Relievers if the A’s are behind (-)
Aaron Brooks (RHP - Long Relief)
Emilio Pagan (RHP- middle innings)
Chris Hatcher (RHP - middle innings)
JB Wendelken (RHP - middle innings)
Liam Hendricks (RHP - possibly slated to start bullpen game on Friday)

*The A’s could use 6 to 7 solid innings from starter, Mike Fiers tonight to make-up for the absence of plus relievers.

Tonight’s Hidden Battle: The Long Ball vs. Marine Layer
The Yankees lead the majors in HR’s in 2018 with 227 round trippers. The A’s are third overall in baseball with 192 dingers. Tonight’s weather forecast is calling for tempatures at the Coliseum to dip into the high 50’s by the middle innings with a humidity of 88%, meaning the air will have a thick marine layer.
Translation: A batter will have to hit the ball it 400 feet to left or right just to get it out of the ballpark and forget about anything going out in center (unless your name is “Krush” or Giancarlo).

Scoreboard Watching: A’s have 21 Games To Play
Both the Astros and Seattle face off against below .500 teams tonight.
The A.L. West leading Astros lock up with the Twins in Houston tonight while the Mariners play the Orioles in Seattle. Going into tonight’s games the A’s are 3 ¹⁄₂ games behind the Astros and 5 ¹⁄₂ games ahead of the Mariners.

A’s going for 10th Straight Home Series Win Tonight
The A’s are 9-0 with two splits in their last 11 home series. Tonight, they have a chance to win this series against the Yankees (won 6-3 on Monday night, lost 5-1 last night) to even the season series against New York at 3-3. There are few things sweeter than beating the boys in pinstripes.

Have to End with A Yogi Quote Though...
“You better cut the pizza into four slices because I am not hungry enough to eat six.”
- Yogi Berra

Let’s Go Oak-land!!!