Athletics begin three-game series in Anaheim
The Oakland Athletics will begin a three-game series in Anaheim tonight against the Angels, hoping to find some offensive consistency.
The Angels are 5-2 and won 3-of-4 games against the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum to open the season.
The A’s will have Daniel Gossett on the mound, who pitched four innings against the Angels on Sunday, giving up four runs on six hits with two walks. The Angels possess a few notable hitters in Mike Trout, Justin Upton, and Albert Pujols, among others, so Gossett’s going to have to bring his best stuff tonight.
He got hit around a bit in his last appearance and was pulled early because of it. If he can somewhat contain the middle of the Angels’ lineup it’ll at least give the A’s a chance at success; pending Oakland’s offense, of course.
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Oakland split their recent four-game set with the Rangers and are coming off a frustrating loss in the series finale, losing 6-3 and going 1-for-9 with RISP. The A’s managed 10 hits off Rangers lefty Martin Perez, but they struggled to do it consistently; teams generally struggle to win when leaving 10 men on base.
Right-hander Parker Bridwell will get the ball for the Angels in place of the injured Matt Shoemaker. It’ll be Bridwell’s first start of the season, and he notably struggled big-time against the A’s in 2017, allowing 13 runs over six innings (two starts).
The A’s claimed outfielder Trayce Thompson off waivers on Thursday and he’s with the team for the series in Anaheim. It’s unclear, at this stage, how long he’ll remain with the team but at the very least he provides the Athletics with some additional depth in the outfield.
Next: A's claim OF Trayce Thompson off waivers
Hot streak:
3B Matt Chapman carries a seven-game hitting streak, and eight-game on-base streak, into tonight’s game. He’s also recorded at least two hits in his last four games, and in five of his last six. Chapman is hitting .400 with two homers and five RBIs so far this season.
Pregame note:
Reliever Ryan Dull officially joined the Nashville Sounds on a rehab assignment yesterday and is expected to throw tonight. There’s no official timetable for his return but this news is somewhat promising. Getting Dull back in the bullpen would be a big boost.