Game Thread #61: Athletics at Angels

Just as the A’s were getting into the swing of things with a strong road trip and a dominant start to the last home stand, things slipped away as they jumped from a 10-game win streak to a 5-game losing streak. After an off day the Athletics are on the road in Anaheim and ready to bounce back. Frankie Montas takes the mound tonight for the A’s, after having his worst start of the season so far a week ago, Montas will be looking to rebound and throw a start more indicative of his 2.83 ERA season so far.

The Athletics will be up against Griffin Canning, the Angels rookie. Canning has been one of the most dependable arms the Angels’ dilapidated starting rotation has been able to hold on to. Last week Canning held the Athletics to a single solo home run over 6 innings. Hopefully the A’s got a good look at Canning last Wednesday and will be ready to spoil what has been a solid start to a rookie season.

Today has also been the second day of the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft, and so far the Athletics have been pretty college player heavy with their picks, and through the first 10 rounds have selected 4 pitchers, 3 infielders, 2 catchers, and a single outfielder.

Lineups

Lineup notes:

• A’s are fielding their everyday lineup in more or less the standard order against a righty.
• Ramon Laureano currently has the longest hitting streak in the MLB, sitting at 15 games.
• The A’s have relied on the long ball over the last few games. Chapman has hit 5 in his last 8 games, and all runs scored in the last game against the Astros came off of solo homers.
• The Angels have Jared Walsh at 1B, and Ohtani as DH, giving Albert Pujols a day off.

Frankie Montas leads off the first of a 10 game road set for the Athletics, the green and gold look to improve their road record as they sit 11-15, though they do have a positive run differential.

Let’s go A’s!