Game Thread #144: A’s at Royals

The Oakland A’s are back on the road, after a disappointing end to their recent homestand. They began Tuesday at 2.5 games out of the Second Wild Card, and now they get another chance against a sub-.500 opponent in the Kansas City Royals.

The A’s have their hottest pitcher on the mound in Frankie Montas. The right-hander has been quality in 10 of his last 11 starts, going back to early July, with a 2.18 ERA and 2.35 FIP during that span. He faced the Royals in June and tossed 6⅓ innings while allowing three runs (two earned).

Oakland is missing a star from their lineup, as third baseman Matt Chapman is out again. He fouled a ball off his foot/shin on Saturday and exited that game early, then sat out Sunday before a team off-day Monday, and he remains day-to-day. Click here for more injury updates.

For Kansas City starter Jackson Kowar, this is his sixth appearance (fifth start) in the majors this season, including a brief stint in June and now a September call-up. One of his starts in June was against the A’s, and he was knocked out in the 2nd inning with four runs charged to him. He’s pitched twice this month and gone six innings both times, against Cleveland (2 runs) and Baltimore (6 runs).

A’s lineup (away)

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

• RHP Frankie Montas

Davis is starting again!

Royals lineup (home)

1. 2B Whit Merrifield (R)
2. SS Nicky Lopez (L)
3. C Salvador Perez (R)
4. LF Andrew Benintendi (L)
5. 1B Carlos Santana (S)
6. 3B Adalberto Mondesi (S)
7. DH Ryan O’Hearn (L)
8. RF Hunter Dozier (R)
9. CF Kyle Isbel (L)

• RHP Jackson Kowar

Let’s go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Tuesday, September 14
• Time: 5:10 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