Game Thread #150: Athletics at Rangers

It is the final game that the A’s will play in Texas in the regular season in 2019, and the A’s have a chance to sweep the Rangers as a means to celebrate. This series thus far has been quite the slugfest, as both pitching staffs have struggled to keep runners off of the basepaths in each of the first two games.

For the A’s, hopefully the poor pitching pattern will come to an end, as Sean Manaea will be making his third start of the season. With the bullpen getting heavily used yesterday, it is pertinent for Manaea to get deep into this game, but given his track record so far this year, that shouldn’t be an issue. Having pitched the previous two Sundays, Manaea has surrendered just one run on the year so far, and has looked even better than his vintage, pre-injury self. A new ace being suddenly inserted into the rotation, to go along with the elite additions of A.J. Puk and Jesus Luzardo being inserted into the bullpen, is perhaps the biggest addition for the A’s this season, and can very well be a difference maker come October.

Opposing Manaea is Texas’ bullpen. First pitch is at 12:05. Lineups are posted below.