JP Sears set to face off against the Rangers, Ross Stripling to make spring debut

The Oakland Athletics face off against the Texas Rangers at 12:05pm PST this afternoon. Lefty JP Sears is set to make his second start of the spring. As reported by Martin Gallegos of MLB.com, newly acquired right-hander Ross Stripling is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut.

Stripling has been dealing with a finger injury that has delayed his first spring appearance but according to reports, he's moved past the issue and is ready to go. The righty figures to start the season in the Athletics rotation as one of the more stable veteran presences on the roster.

Stripling pitched in San Francisco in 2023 after spending the prior two seasons in Toronto. He's been fairly consistent, pitching to a 4.21 ERA with a 4.34 FIP, albeit in just 325 innings.

His 134.1 innings in 2022 were a career high, and he bottomed out in 2023 due to a back strain that kept him to just 89 innings. The Giants shifted him back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen.

He was a much better pitcher in the second half in terms of control and run prevention and the Athletics will hope he can retain some of that momentum heading into 2024.

It's not hard to squint and see today's lineup as a potential major league lineup in Oakland this season. Righty Dane Dunning will take the mound for the Rangers, getting platoon outfielder Seth Brown into the lineup in right field. JJ Bleday and Esteury Ruiz man center and left, respectively, with Shea Langeliers behind the dish.

Max Muncy is unlikely to make the opening day roster but he's been sharp in the spring and as of right now, neither Nick Allen nor Darell Hernaiz has won the job at shortstop. Ryan Noda should be the everyday first baseman but if Miguel Andujar can play passable defense there, it'll help get him some extra plate appearances during the season.

We'll be keeping an eye on Abraham Toro as well as he fights to win the starting third base job over Jordan Diaz.

First pitch at 12:05pm PST.