Spring Game Thread #26: A’s vs. Rangers

Opening Day is getting near! There are only three spring training games left, after we watched the Oakland A’s demolish the Los Angeles Dodgers last night.

Next up are the Texas Rangers, but first the A’s made a round of roster cuts this morning. Six players are out of the running to break camp, although one of them is still starting today in shortstop Pete Kozma; all of the cuts are staying in the organization.

As for Saturday’s contest, the top story line is A.J. Puk. All eyes will be on the top prospect lefty as he makes his third and final outing of the spring, after missing all of 2020 to an injury. Today’s performance will go a long way toward determining whether he’s ready for the Opening Day rotation, reports Shayna Rubin of the Mercury News, with one consideration being whether he can work five innings in a game by next week. He has a tough act to follow after Cole Irvin took a no-hitter into the 6th inning last night against the defending world champs.

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

A’s lineup (home)

1. LF Ka’ai Tom (L)
2. 2B Jed Lowrie (S)
3. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
4. 1B Mitch Moreland (L)
5. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
6. C Sean Murphy (R)
7. RF Chad Pinder (R)
8. DH Vimael Machin (L)
9. SS Pete Kozma (R)

• LHP A.J. Puk

The A’s have their starting second baseman in the lineup!

Rangers lineup (away)

1. CF Eli White (R)
2. DH Jason Martin (L)
3. RF Adolis Garcia (R)
4. SS Anderson Tejeda (S)
5. 1B Curtis Terry (R)
6. C Jose Trevino (R)
7. LF Delino DeShields (R)
8. 3B Davis Wendzel (R)
9. 2B Cody Freeman (R)

• RHP Kyle Gibson

Lots of under-the-names, and one of them is former A’s super-sub prospect Eli White!

Let’s go Oakland!