Game Thread #18: A's vs. Twins

The Oakland A’s are playing a doubleheader on Tuesday, but from the way the first game went, maybe we should see if a triple-header is an option on the table.

The A’s breezed to a 7-0 victory in the opener, as Sean Manaea needed only seven innings to complete the shutout and the lineup pounded out three homers against the Minnesota Twins.

But don’t get too cocky. It’s never easy to sweep a doubleheader, and sometimes the roles can reverse quickly in the second game. And it’s not like the Twins are pushovers, coming off an AL Central division title last summer.

Oakland sends Jesús Luzardo to the mound, looking to extend the club’s overall winning streak to double-digits. This is his first time ever facing the Twins in his career, since the A’s didn’t play any Central teams last summer. Minnesota counters with Jose Berrios, a two-time All-Star who’s off to another nice start this season.

A’s lineup (home)

1. LF Mark Canha (R)
2. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
3. 1B Matt Olson (L)
4. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
5. DH Mitch Moreland (L)
6. RF Seth Brown (L)
7. SS Elvis Andrus (R)
8. 2B Vimael Machin (L)
9. C Aramis Garcia (R)

• LHP Jesús Luzardo

Brown, Machin, and Garcia sub in for Piscotty, Lowrie, and Murphy.

Twins lineup (away)

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

• RHP Jose Berrios

Let’s Go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Tuesday, April 20
• Time: 6:25 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