Spring Game Thread #4: A’s at Rockies

It’s already time for more spring training action! The Oakland A’s play their fourth game of the 2021 Cactus League season, on the road against the Colorado Rockies. The A’s won their last two exhibition contests entering Wednesday.

After watching three of Oakland’s longtime pitching prospects start the first three spring games, this time we’ll get a look at a newcomer in that role. The A’s acquired lefty Cole Irvin from the Phillies in January, and you can click here to read more about him. The 27-year-old southpaw struggled in his first MLB action the last couple years but has remained strong in Triple-A, with a wide arsenal to account for mediocre velocity.

Out of Oakland’s bullpen, we can expect to see the following pitchers, per Matt Kawahara of the S.F. Chronicle:

• RHP Jordan Weems
• RHP Dany Jiménez
• RHP Domingo Acevedo
• RHP Argenis Angulo
• RHP Ben Bracewell

You can click here for more info on Acevedo and Angulo, here for Jiménez, and here for Bracewell.

The Rockies turn to righty Ryan Castellani, who was a rookie last summer. Colorado’s lineup includes infielder Brendan Rodgers, who has been a Top 100 prospect since 2016 and finally got a couple cups of coffee in the majors the last two seasons.

First pitch is 12:10 p.m. PT. Remember this will only be a seven-inning game.

A’s lineup (away)

1. SS Elvis Andrus (R)
2. 3B Chad Pinder (R)
3. 1B Matt Olson (L)
4. DH Matt Chapman (R)
5. RF Stephen Piscotty (R)
6. LF Seth Brown (L)
7. C Austin Allen (L)
8. 2B Pete Kozma (R)
9. CF Buddy Reed (S)

• LHP Cole Irvin

What will Buddy Reed do today?

Rockies lineup (home)

1. LF Raimel Tapia (L)
2. SS Chris Owings (R)
3. RF Charlie Blackmon (L)
4. 1B C.J. Cron (R)
5. 3B Ryan McMahon (L)
6. DH Greg Bird (L)
7. CF Garrett Hampson (R)
8. 2B Brendan Rodgers (R)
9. C Dom Nuñez (L)

• RHP Ryan Castellani

Let’s go Oakland!