Game Thread #85: A’s vs. Red Sox

The Oakland A’s are in a slump, but the next hot streak begins with a single win so let’s see if they can get it today.

The A’s continue their series with the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, as Cole Irvin takes the hill at the Coliseum. The lefty was brilliant in his last start, tossing eight shutout innings against the MLB-best Giants on the road while also driving in a run on a squeeze bunt. He hasn’t yet faced Boston this year.

The Sox counter with Garrett Richards, a familiar face to Oakland fans after his years on the Angels. He started against the A’s at Fenway Park in May and threw six scoreless frames in a Boston victory.

Oakland has a new arm in their bullpen, as lefty Sam Moll was called up today. He was acquired from the D’Backs yesterday, and this is his second time wearing green-and-gold after also doing a stint in the A’s bullpen in 2017.

A’s lineup (home)

1. 2B Tony Kemp (L)
2. SS Elvis Andrus (R)
3. 1B Matt Olson (L)
4. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
5. DH Mitch Moreland (L)
6. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
7. C Sean Murphy (R)
8. RF Seth Brown (L)
9. LF Chad Pinder (R)

• LHP Cole Irvin

C’mon Brownie, bust out of the slump.

Red Sox lineup (away)

1. CF Enrique Hernandez (R)
2. DH Alex Verdugo (L)
3. LF JD Martinez (R)
4. SS Xander Bogaerts (R)
5. 3B Rafael Devers (L)
6. RF Hunter Renfroe (R)
7. C Christian Vasquez (R)
8. 1B Bobby Dalbec (R)
9. CF Danny Santana (S)

• RHP Garrett Richards

How To Watch

• Date: Saturday, July 3
• Time: 4:15 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