Spring Game Thread #25: A’s at Dodgers

The Oakland A’s have four spring training games left before the 2021 regular season begins!

Friday they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers, in a rare Cactus League night game. The A’s were going to use Chris Bassitt on the mound, but decided not to because he’ll face the Dodgers in a couple weeks in his second start of the regular season, reports Matt Kawahara of the S.F. Chronicle.

Instead, it’ll be lefty Cole Irvin, who is vying for the fifth starter spot that is now officially open with veteran Mike Fiers heading to the injured list. Irvin probably isn’t the front-runner for the job, but he’s still in the running, and if he doesn’t get it then he might still stick around in the bullpen.

The Dodgers are starting someone named Clayton Kershaw, a nobody who I assume is a non-roster invitee. They also have their defending World Series championship lineup, stocked full of star hitters.

First pitch is (was) 6:05 p.m. PT. You can listen to the radio broadcast for free online at A’s Cast.

A’s lineup (away)

1. CF Mark Canha (R)
2. SS Elvis Andrus (R)
3. 1B Matt Olson (L)
4. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
5. RF Stephen Piscotty (R)
6. C Aramis Garcia (R)
7. 3B Vimael Machin (L)
8. DH Francisco Peña (R)
9. 2B Tony Kemp (L)

• LHP Cole Irvin

NRI catcher gets a turn at DH, and Hittin Machin gets a start at the hot corner.

Dodgers lineup (home)

1. RF Mookie Betts (R)
2. SS Corey Seager (L)
3. 3B Justin Turner (R)
4. CF Cody Bellinger (L)
5. 1B Max Muncy (L)
6. LF A.J. Pollock (R)
7. C Austin Barnes (R)
8. 2B Gavin Lux (L)
9. LHP Clayton Kershaw (R)

• No DH for Kershaw

Let’s go Oakland!