Spring Game Thread #11: A’s at Rangers

The Oakland A’s saw a couple old friends in their Cactus League game against the Brewers on Wednesday, and now they’ll say hi to a couple more on Thursday against the Texas Rangers.

The A’s take on the Texas Rangers, whose lineup features two players they acquired from Oakland last month. Khris Davis is in left field, a change from his typical DH assignment, and he looks to heat up after a 1-for-11 start to the spring. Behind the plate is Jonah Heim, who went over in the same deal with Davis that netted shortstop Elvis Andrus for the A’s.

Oakland also got catcher Aramis Garcia in that swap, and he lines up behind the plate today as well, in a showdown between backstops who were essentially exchanged for each other in February. The A’s also have their own unusual name starting in LF, as second baseman Tony Kemp gets some versatility practice in the outfield.

On the mound, the green and gold continues the delayed rollout of its starting rotation. After Chris Bassitt made his spring debut yesterday, Jesús Luzardo gets the call Thursday. Texas counters with their own young lefty, Taylor Hearn, who worked in the major league bullpen last season.

First pitch is 12:05 p.m. PT. You can listen to the radio broadcast for free online at A’s Cast.

A’s lineup (away)

1. LF Tony Kemp (L)
2. DH Jed Lowrie (S)
3. RF Mark Canha (R)
4. 1B Seth Brown (L)
5. C Aramis Garcia (R)
6. 3B Vimael Machin (L)
7. 2B Pete Kozma (R)
8. CF Buddy Reed (S)
9. SS Nick Allen (R)

• LHP Jesús Luzardo

Kemp in left! Lowrie starting! Hittin’ Machin! Prospect bonanza with Brown, Garcia, Reed, and Allen! This is a fun spring lineup.

Rangers lineup (home)

1. SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R)
2. 2B Nick Solak (R)
3. RF Joey Gallo (L)
4. LF Khris Davis (R)
5. 3B Rougned Odor (L)
6. 1B Ronald Guzman (L)
7. DH Nate Lowe (L)
8. C Jonah Heim (S)
9. CF Leody Taveras (S)

• LHP Taylor Hearn

Let’s go Oakland!