Game Thread #128: A’s vs. Yankees

There’s still a month to go in the 2021 season, but this sure feels like a must-win series for the Oakland A’s. They’ve lost eight out of 10 games to fall out of Wild Card position, and now they host one of the teams they’re chasing, the New York Yankees, for four games at the Coliseum.

The Yankees have surged into the top Wild Card spot thanks to an 11-game win streak, so the A’s have an extra tall task against the hottest team in the majors. If they can cool down New York, then Oakland could take a step toward climbing back into the postseason picture.

The A’s start with James Kaprielian on the mound. The right-hander faced the Yankees once this year and pitched into the 6th inning, allowing three runs in an eventual victory. He allowed a homer to D.J. LeMahieu in that game. That same day, Oakland knocked out New York starter Jameson Taillon in the 5th inning, with two runs including a homer by Matt Olson.

A’s lineup (home)

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

• RHP James Kaprielian

Andrus hit a double off Taillon in June.

Yankees lineup (away)

1. 2B D.J. LeMahieu (R)
2. 1B Anthony Rizzo (L)
3. RF Aaron Judge (R)
4. LF Joey Gallo (L)
5. DH Giancarlo Stanton (R)
6. C Gary Sanchez (R)
7. CF Brett Gardner (L)
8. 3B Gio Urshela (R)
9. SS Andrew Velazquez (S)

• RHP Jameson Taillon

Let’s go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Thursday, August 26
• 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