Game Thread #87: Athletics vs Twins

The Athletics storm back into Oakland after winning 5/6 games on a week long road trip. As fortunes swung in the A’s favour to cap off June, the green and gold will be starting off July against another hot team: the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins surpassed Cleveland for the top of the AL Central early in the season and haven't looked back since, sitting 53-30 and having the best run differential in the American League. A big factor in the Twins’ campaign this year has been today’s starter Jake Odorizzi. With a 10-3 record and a 2.73 ERA Odorizzi has been putting together a potential Cy Young shot and leading the Minnesota rotation.

The A’s send out Daniel Mengden tonight, making his second start since returning to the lineup at the end of June. Mengden’s last start was solid with 6 shut out innings, 5 strike outs, and dropping his ERA by a whole point

Lineups:

Lineup Notes:

• Chris Herrmann is back on the big league roster and in the game after being on the IL due to knee surgery since Spring Training. Beau Taylor to AAA and Marco Estrada to the 60-Day IL were the corresponding moves.
• Franklin Barretto continues his 2019 campaign after being called up during the series against the Angels. He has yet to get his first major league hit of the season after 4 at-bats.
• Tonight we sit a week away from Matt Chapman making his first (of hopefully many to come) All-Star Game appearance.

The A’s look to keep their momentum as they start off a three game series with the Twins. After a travel day yesterday, the Athletics should be rested and ready for action in Oakland.