Game Thread #158: A’s at Mariners

The Oakland A’s are officially eliminated from the AL West division race, and the Wild Card is almost certainly out of reach. But there are five games left in the season, and there’s still the chance to spoil things for the Seattle Mariners.

Despite the unfavorable standings, this will be a meaningful game for the A’s because Chris Bassitt is on the mound again. The right-hander is making his second start since returning from a serious head injury, which is both an inspirational story and also a valuable opportunity to get some work in and reprove himself before the long offseason. In his first appearance last week, which also came against the Mariners, he breezed through three scoreless innings, looking like his usual All-Star self.

Oakland’s lineup gets back infielder Josh Harrison, who exited Sunday’s game early and sat out Monday. However, outfielder Starling Marte is out for the second day in a row, making progress on his sore lat. The remaining A’s will need to figure out Seattle starter Tyler Anderson, who limited them to one run on four hits in seven innings when they faced off last week.

A’s lineup (away)

1. SS Josh Harrison (R)
2. RF Chad Pinder (R)
3. 1B Matt Olson (L)
4. DH Yan Gomes (R)
5. LF Mark Canha (R)
6. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
7. CF Seth Brown (L)
8. C Sean Murphy (R)
9. 2B Tony Kemp (L)

• RHP Chris Bassitt

Both catchers stating, with Gomes at DH.

Mariners lineup (home)

1. SS J.P Crawford (L)
2. 1B Ty France (R)
3. 3B Kyle Seager (L)
4. RF Mitch Haniger (R)
5. 2B Abraham Toro (S)
6. CF Jarred Kelenic (L)
7. DH Luis Torrens (R)
8. LF Jake Fraley (L)
9. C Tom Murphy (R)

• LHP Tyler Anderson

Let’s go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Tuesday, September 28
• Time: 7:10 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