Game Thread #93: A’s vs. Indians

Welcome to the second “half” of the 2021 MLB season! Technically the Oakland A’s have already played 56.8% of their schedule, at 92 out of 162 games, but the All-Star break serves as the unofficial midway point in the campaign even if it’s not a mathematically precise description.

After four days off, the A’s are back in action Friday, at home in the Coliseum against the Cleveland Indians. Oakland opens the second half with Sean Manaea on the mound, coming off a first half that should have earned him an All-Star nod but didn’t (3.19 ERA, 3.34 FIP). In his last start before the break, he worked into the 7th inning in Houston against the Astros, allowing three earned runs plus a fourth run unearned.

The A’s lineup gets back a veteran hitter, as DH Mitch Moreland was activated from the injured list today. He’s in the lineup tonight. Frank Schwindel was DFA’d.

A’s lineup (home)

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

• LHP Sean Manaea

Moreland back in action.

Indians lineup (away)

1. 2B Cesar Hernandez (S)
2. SS Amed Rosario (R)
3. 3B Jose Ramirez (S)
4. DH Franmil Reyes (R)
5. 1B Bobby Bradley (L)
6. RF Harold Ramirez (R)
7. C Roberto Perez (R)
8. LF Oscar Mercado (R)
9. CF Bradley Zimmer (L)

• RHP Eli Morgan

How To Watch

• Date: Friday, July 16
• Time: 6:40 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