Griffin Takes The Mound As A’s Try To Bounce Back Against Boston: Game Preview
Apr 19, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Coco Crisp (4) is congratulated by first baseman Brandon Moss (37) after he scored a run during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
After being swept in a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend, the Oakland Athletics look to right the ship against the Boston Red Sox today when they hand the ball to A.J. Griffin, arguably the A’s hottest pitcher after starting the season with a 2.25 ERA and 13 strikeouts through three starts.
Oakland has won their last eight games against the Red Sox, and they’ll try to get their offense back on track after a quiet weekend at the plate in Florida. The A’s have a bit of a discrepancy in their record within the division (11-2) as opposed to their success against the rest of the league (1-5), and Bob Melvin’s team will be eager to dispel any notion that those results are indicative of their long-term chances for success when they take the field at Fenway Park.
Boston is on top of the AL East at 12-6, although they lost both games of a doubleheader Sunday against the Kansas City Royals. They had won six games in a row before Sunday, and Mike Napoli and Daniel Nava have paced the offense with seven home runs and 34 RBI between the two.
Left-hander Felix Doubront will take the mound for the Sox after picking up his first win of the season against the Cleveland Indians in Boston’s first game following the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. The 25-year-old Venezuelan has a 4.50 ERA with 13 strikeouts and 13 hits in 10 innings this season.
In injury news, Brett Anderson is recovering quickly from a sprained right ankle sustained against the Rays last Friday, and he should be able to start against Boston on Wednesday.
Yoenis Cespedes will do some light work off the tee today as he continues to recover from a strained muscle in his left hand, and if all goes well this week in his rehab assignments he could make his return this Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles at O.Co Coliseum. The A’s would love to have his big bat back in the lineup, as they’re 3-5 without him in the lineup on the season, and 15-27 throughout his career when he doesn’t play.
LINEUPS
Oakland Athletics
1. C. Crisp CF
2. C. Young LF
3. B. Moss 1B
4. J. Lowrie SS
5. D. Norris C
6. J. Donaldson 3B
7. J. Reddick RF
8. N. Freiman DH
9. A. Parrino 2B
Boston Red Sox
1. J. Ellsbury CF
2. S. Victorino RF
3. D. Pedroia 2B
4. D. Ortiz DH
5. M. Napoli 1B
6. D. Nava LF
7. W. Middlebrooks 3B
8. J. Saltalamacchia C
9. S. Drew SS