Spring Game Thread #19: A’s vs. Cubs

The Oakland A’s are coming off a pair of strong Cactus League wins, and they’ll look to keep it up on Friday against the Chicago Cubs.

The A’s have Frankie Montas starting on the mound, for the second time this spring after a coronavirus delay. He tossed three scoreless innings on Sunday, needing just 34 pitches to breeze through his spring debut.

Oakland’s lineup had a late scratch, as RF Stephen Piscotty is out with left wrist soreness, the team announced. He had a cortisone shot and will miss a few days, reports Melissa Lockard of The Athletic. Tony Kemp takes his spot today (but in LF), giving him a chance to practice his defensive versatility beyond his normal home at 2B.

Otherwise this looks like a pair of legit MLB lineups facing off for a spring scrimmage, in a friendly battle of 2021 postseason contenders. And surely we’ll get to see some prospects as the day goes on, as usual.

First pitch is 1:05 p.m. PT. You can listen to the radio broadcast for free online at A’s Cast.

A’s lineup (home)

1. CF Mark Canha (R)
2. 2B Jed Lowrie (S)
3. 1B Matt Olson (L)
4. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
5. DH Mitch Moreland (L)
6. RF Chad Pinder (R)
7. SS Elvis Andrus (R)
8. C Austin Allen (L)
9. LF Tony Kemp (L)

• RHP Frankie Montas

One possible MLB lineup!

Cubs lineup (away)

1. CF Ian Happ (S)
2. 1B Anthony Rizzo (L)
3. 3B Kris Bryant (R)
4. LF Joc Pederson (L)
5. C Wilson Contreras (R)
6. SS Javier Baez (R)
7. RF Jayson Heyward (L)
8. 2B Nico Hoerner (R)
9. RHP Zach Davies (R)

• No DH for Davies

Let’s go Oakland!