Game Thread #36: A’s vs. Rays

Happy Mother’s Day! The Oakland A’s are taking the field on this special Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays, and there’s a pretty good history behind this matchup on this particular day — today is the 11-year anniversary of Dallas Braden’s perfect game, over this same opponent.

Today another unheralded lefty will take the mound for the A’s, as Cole Irvin looks to continue building on his early success. Swirvin Irvin tossed eight shutout frames his last time out against the Blue Jays, which was definitely the A’s best start of the year to that point, though his teammate Sean Manaea challenged him earlier in this series against the Rays by carrying a no-hitter into the 8th.

Meanwhile, Oakland’s hitters will get a rematch against rookie southpaw Shane McClanahan. They saw him once a couple weeks ago in his first MLB start, and were able to figure out his ridiculous 100 mph arsenal well enough to score a couple runs against him, but he followed that up with a scoreless effort against the Angels his next time out.

The A’s are without CF Ramon Laureano today. He’s got a right thumb issue, and he could play tonight if needed, reports insider Martin Gallegos, but with an off-day tomorrow there could be a chance for extended rest.

A’s lineup (home)

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

• LHP Cole Irvin

Brownie starts against a lefty pitcher.

Rays lineup (away)

1. DH Randy Arozarena (R)
2. RF Manuel Margot (R)
3. LF Austin Meadows (L)
4. 1B Yandy Diaz (R)
5. 2B Mike Brosseau (R)
6. 3B Joey Wendle (L)
7. C Mike Zunino (R)
8. SS Willy Adames (R)
9. CF Brett Phillips (L)

• LHP Shane McClanahan

Let’s Go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Sunay, May 9
• Time: 1:07 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