Game Thread #24: Oakland A’s at Arizona Diamondbacks

The Oakland A’s are yet to win an interleague game against an NL West team, except for the last-place Giants, whom they’re yet to lose to. They’ll get their next chance on Tuesday at Chase Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The two teams played a close game in the opener on Monday, with Arizona taking an early lead, then the A’s battling back to tie it late, but then the D’Backs hanging on and plating the walk-off run in the 9th for a 4-3 win. After Tuesday’s encore, they’ll both travel to Oakland for two more games at the Coliseum.

In today’s contest, the A’s will send Frankie Montas to the mound. The big righty missed his last start due to upper back tightness, but is ready to go now. He last pitched Aug. 8, and was the reigning AL Pitcher of the Week when his back interrupted him. He’s faced the D’Backs once, in 2018, and beat them with six innings of one-run ball and seven strikeouts. Only Peralta, Ahmed, Ketel, and Lamb remain from the lineup he faced.

Arizona counters with righty Luke Weaver, a former Top 100 prospect who began to find success in the majors last year. However, he has an 11.85 ERA through four starts this summer, with a homer every other inning. He’s never faced Oakland before.

In their lineup, the A’s welcome back Ramon Laureano, who has completed his four-game suspension. They went 3-1 while he was out, with their other outfielders stepping up in his absence. He’s batting second in the order.

First pitch is 3:10 p.m., with the following options to watch or listen:

• TV: NBC Sports California
• Radio: 960 AM
• Online video stream: fuboTV
• Online audio stream: iHeartRadio

A’s lineup (away)

1. SS Marcus Semien (R)
2. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
3. 1B Matt Olson (L)
4. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
5. DH Mark Canha (R)
6. LF Robbie Grossman (S)
7. RF Stephen Piscotty (R)
8. 2B Tony Kemp (L)
9. C Sean Murphy (R)

• Chris Bassitt, RHP

With Laureano back, Kemp moves back down, which means the No. 8 hitter has a .429 OBP and the No. 9 hitters has a .364. Good luck with that, other pitchers!

D’Backs lineup (home)

1. RF Kole Calhoun (L)
2. C Stephen Vogt (L)
3. CF Starling Marte (R)
4. LF David Peralta (L)
5. 1B Christian Walker (R)
6. 2B Eduardo Escobar (S)
7. SS Nick Ahmed (R)
8. 3B Jake Lamb (L)
9. LF Daulton Varsho (L)

• Luke Weaver, RHP

Much different look tonight, with Vogt, Lamb, and Varsho joining the action.

Let’s Go Oakland!