Game Thread #28: A’s at Blue Jays

Good afternoon and Happy Friday to all of you, as the Oakland teams play a double-dip tonight; both on the road, as the A’s taken on the Blue Jays at 4:00PM, and the Warriors the Clippers at 7:00PM. It’s been a week, amIright?

It’s also a bit like Groundhog Day, since at this very time last weekend, the A’s were kicking off a series with the Toronto Blue Jays; so optimistic, so full of hope, so confident in their abilities to win. I mean, Eric Sogard at shortstop and leading off; what could go wrong? Obviously the answer to that turned out to be everything; the A’s lost three horrible games last weekend as they were swept right out of their own ballpark. At home. And now, here they are in Toronto to repeat the series. On the road. And yes, Eric Sogard is leading off and starting at shortstop, but he’s not the story in the Blue Jays’ lineup tonight.

But luckily, baseball is an everyday game and the A’s had a series in between to make up for last weekend’s disappointment; they secured a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers in grand fashion, winning the final game in walk-off style to get back over the .500 mark on the young season. And now, armed with that success, they take on the Blue Jays again.

The A’s better bring it tonight; this A’s/Blue Jays matchup will likely be one of the most watched games of the whole season, as all eyes are on the Major League debut of Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., who is batting fifth for the Blue Jays tonight against Mike Fiers. In case you haven’t heard, or seen the video, or basically listened to anything baseball all year, Guerrero is one of the best Minor League hitters of all time at a mere 20 years old and he’s been called up to start at third base tonight. I’m sure Mike Fiers can’t wait. It’s more excitement than we usually get in an A’s/Blue Jays matchup on a Friday night, so I’m here for it. The A’s offense will be facing off against Marcus Stroman; I’d really recommend scoring some runs so we can enjoy the show.

Here are your lineups:

Blue Jays

SS Eric Sogard
1B Justin Smoak
CF R. Grichuk
DH Rowdy Tellez
3B V. Guerrero Jr.
RF B. McKinney
LF T. Hernandez
2B B. Drury
C Danny Jansen

Your 2019 Oakland Athletics

SS Marcus Semien
3B Matt Chapman
RF Stephen Biscotty
DH Khris Davis
1B K. Morales
LF Chad Pinder
2B J. Profar
CF R. Laureano
C Josh Phegley

LET GO OAK-LAND!