Game Thread #76: Orioles vs. A’s

The A’s broke out the big sticks last night versus the Orioles, exploding for sixteen runs (six home runs) on fifteen hits in the 16-2 victory. On Monday night, Mike Fiers was the story, retiring seventeen straight batters in one stretch, pacing the A’s to a much closer 3-2 victory.

Today’s starter, Chris Bassitt will look to keep the momentum going as he takes the mound in the 12:35pm afternoon finale from Oakland. Bassitt (3-3, 3.68 ERA) will be making his eleventh start of the 2019 season after beginning the season in Triple AAA Las Vegas. Control issues have plagued the thirty year old Bassitt in his last two starts, both losses. So it will be interesting to see if he makes any adjustments today. The former basketball star from Genoa Area High School (who can still dunk by the way) comes into today with a 1-0, 1.80 ERA in two career starts against the O’s.

Baltimore will go with an “opener” to oppose Bassitt. Taking the ball first for the Orioles will be Jimmy Yacabonis, who is the proud owner of the one of the funkiest deliveries in all of baseball. Yacabonis, whose’s Grandfather was a professional baseball player in Cuba, throws a two seamed fast ball and a hard slider that bot display tremendous movement.
He threw it effectively against the A’s in two scoreless innings of relief on Monday night.

On the offensive side of the baseball, A’s shortstop, Marcus Semien looks to extend 15 game hitting streak today and center fielder, Ramon Laureano will try to stay locked in (.308, 44 for 143 since May 8th).

Here are the line-ups from Oakland (67 F at Noon)

I will close our game preview with a nod to the fictional Baltimore based show “The Wire”:
“At the end of the day, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.” -Omar Little

Enjoy the game everyone, see you in the comment section...