Game Thread #13: A's vs. Tigers

The Oakland A’s are on a four-game winning streak! After their poor start they’ve already battled back to 5-7. Now they get four matchups against the rebuilding Detroit Tigers.

A’s fans will see a couple familiar faces in the opposing lineup. Robbie Grossman signed with the Tigers as a free agent last winter, after two seasons with the A’s in 2019-20. He’s batting leadoff and DHing. Meanwhile, former top prospect Renato Nuñez is at first base, where he’s filling in for former MVP slugger Miguel Cabrera, who’s out injured. Nuñez hit 31 homers in 2019 with the Orioles, and then another dozen in the shortened 2020.

Grossman, Nuñez, and the rest of the Tigers will face Oakland lefty Sean Manaea, making his third start of the year. He was shaky once and then excellent once, both against the Houston Astros, so he finally gets to see a new opponent.

The A’s get back first baseman Matt Olson, who missed the game Wednesday after being hit in the hand by a pitch the night before.

A’s lineup (home)

1. RF Mark Canha (R)
2. 2B Jed Lowrie (S)
3. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
4. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
5. 1B Matt Olson (L)
6. C Sean Murphy (R)
7. DH Stephen Piscotty (R)
8. SS Elvis Andrus (R)
9. LF Tony Kemp (L)

• LHP Sean Manaea (L)

No Brown, but Piscotty is hotty too.

Tigers lineup (away)

1. DH Robbie Grossman (S)
2. LF Niko Goodrum (S)
3. C Wilson Ramos (R)
4. 3B Jeimer Candelario (S)
5. 1B Renato Nuñez (R)
6. SS Willi Castro (S)
7. 2B Jonathan Schoop (R)
8. RF Akil Baddoo (L)
9. CF JaCoby Jones (R)

• LHP Tarik Skubal

Let’s Go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Thursday, April 15
• Time: 6:40 p.m. PT
• TV (national): NBC Sports California
• Radio: 960 AM (more listings here)
• Streaming (watch): WatchESPN
• Streaming (listen): A’s Cast