Game Thread #17: A's vs. Twins

It’s a great day for a ball game; let’s play two!

The Oakland A’s and Minnesota Twins will play a doubleheader Tuesday, after postponing their series opener yesterday. The Twins needed some extra rounds of coronavirus testing after having a few positives show up over the last week, but now everybody is cleared to return to action. Out for the Twins due to positive tests are SS Andrelton Simmons, OF Kyle Garlick, and OF Max Kepler. In addition, LHP Caleb Thielbar is out for contact tracing reasons.

The first game kicks off with Sean Manaea on the mound for the A’s. The lefty has been quality in each of his last two starts, going six innings apiece with a total of three runs, 11 strikeouts, and one walk.

Oakland last faced the Twins in 2019, and since then Minnesota has added a familiar face in third baseman Josh Donaldson. The former MVP already did a quick stint on the injured list this year with a pulled hammy, but he’s back and he’s 3-for-6 since returning (plus a double from before the injury).

A’s lineup (home)

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

• LHP Sean Manaea

Now that looks like the full lineup we hoped to see.

Twins lineup (away)

1. C Mitch Garver (R)
2. 3B Josh Donaldson (R)
3. DH Nelson Cruz (R)
4. CF Byron Buxton (R)
5. SS Jorge Polanco (S)
6. 1B Miguel Sano (R)
7. LF Luis Arraez (L)
8. RF Brent Rooker (R)
9. 2B Willians Astudillo (R)

• RHP Matt Shoemaker

Let’s Go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Tuesday, April 20
• Time: 3:30 p.m. PT
• TV (local): NBC Sports California
• Radio: 960 AM (more listings here)
• Streaming (watch): NBCS website (with cable sub)
• Streaming (listen): A’s Cast