Game Thread #27: Rangers vs. A’s

Sweep?!?!
The 2019 Oakland A’s have yet to sweep a series from an opposing team. Actually they did sweep the Giants in the pre-season (um...practice games after the Japan games) “Bay Bridge” series. But no regular season sweeps so far (the A’s have won two series, lost two series and split three series so far in 2019).

Enter into town, the Texas Rangers, who are surprisingly playing above .500 (12-10) for new skipper, Chris Woodward. The A’s have dominated the first two games of this home series, winning 6-1 on Monday Night and 11-5 last night. Bob Melvin and the boys are hoping for another solid outing and the series sweep this afternoon in this 12:37pm (PST) afternoon start.

Aaron Brooks (2-2, 5.32 ERA) will take the mound for the Green and Gold.
Brooks looked really good in his first start of the season against the Boston Red Sox (6 innings, 0 runs, 2 hits, 6 strikeouts) and third start against the Orioles (6 innings, 3 runs, 3 hits, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts), both victories for the 28 year old right-hander. Unfortunately, Brooks didn’t look so good in his second start against the Astros (5 innings, 5 runs on 9 hits) nor in his fourth start against the Blue Jays (5 innings, 5 runs on 6 hits) which were both losses for the Cal State San Bernadino Alum. In case you were wondering, Aaron Brooks and his wife aren’t fans of Game of Thrones

But don’t give up Brooks just yet, he is a good dude:

Bullpen Game for the Rangers
Opposing Brooks and the A’s for the Texas Rangers was scheduled to be Left-hander Drew Smyly, but unfortunately for the Rangers, Smyly was placed on the ten day IL yesterday with left mid-arm nerve tightness. Starting in Smyly’s place for the emergency start will be Kyle Dowdy (1-0, 3.48 ERA), the former University of Hawaii Rainbow Warrior...He is expected to go 2-3 innings and then turn it over to the bullpen.

Today’s Starting Line-ups (71 F; Sunny):

Lots of 4 seam fastballs today
Oakland’s Aaron Brooks throws the four seamed fastball about 60% of the time.
Texas’ Kyle Dowdy throws it around 77% of the time.

WHO IS HOT
Oak: Stephen Piscotty (10 hits in his last 19 at-bats; .526 Avg.)
Oak: Matt Chapman (12 hits in his last 30 at-bats: .400 Avg.)
WHO IS NOT
Tex: Nomar Mazara (1 for his last 23; .043 Avg)

Trivino Not Available Today
Lou Trivino continues to nurse a thumb injury suffered on Sunday when a baseball bent back the nail on his thumb...The rest of the bullpen (minus Ryan Dull) should be good to go today...

Let’s Go Oakland!!!
It is a beautiful day for baseball, the weather is warm, the ball should be carrying out, let’s go A’s!!!