The Oakland A's are visiting Chavez Ravine for a two game series for the first time since 2009. The Dodgers are looking to take both games from the depleted last place Athletics squad before taking on a very tough team in the Angels for the annual freeway series.
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The A's (44-56) are in the midst of a very disappointing season. Since last year's trade deadline, Oakland has not been the same team. After acquiring Jeff Samardza, Jason Hammel, and John Lester, it looked like they were the team to beat. However, they finished the last two months 22-33 and didn't make it out of the wild card round of the season. They went on to have an offseason going away party for almost all of their new players, and have been in rebuilding mode this season, recently selling SP Scott Kazmir, 2B Ben Zobrist, and RP Tyler Clippard. Its not the A's year, and the Dodgers look to capitalize on that.
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The Dodgers are just coming off of a road trip where they went 5-6 against some of the leagues best pitching (Scherzer, Teheran, DeGrom, Harvey). The dodgers struggled on the road trip with pitching, as they had to spot start Ian Thomas and Zach Lee in place of the injured Carlos Frias (...Who is having his own trouble. Read about it here) and Brett Anderson, and lost there last game on a 10th inning bullpen loss. The Dodgers are currently looking to bounce back from a tough road trip, as well as add pitching before the deadline.
Game 1 (7/28): Lineups and Matchup
Dodgers Lineup
1. Joc Pederson - CF
2. Howie Kendrick - 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez - 1B
4. Yasmani Grandal - C
5. Yasiel Puig - RF
6. Andre Ethier - LF
7. Alberto Callaspo - 3B
8. Jimmy Rollins - SS
9. Brett Anderson - P
Oakland A's Lineup
1. Billy Burns - CF
2. Marcus Semien - SS
3. Brett Lawrie - 3B
4. Billy Butler - 1B
5. Jake Smolinski - LF
6. Josh Reddick - RF
7. Josh Phegley - C
8. Eric Sogard - 2B
9. Sonny Gray - P
This is set to be an excellent pitching matchup as Gray is currently one of the AL's best pitchers and Brett Anderson has proved to be very efficient and always keeping the Dodgers in the game.
Sonny Gray has been a star this year. He has developed into the A's true ace, with a + Fastball, solid curve, and phenomenal slider, He has successfully missed bats and gotten outs all season long. David Price, one of the leagues best hurlers, quoted earlier this season, "If I had to do it today (give the Cy Young to someone), I would have to give it to Sonny Gray."He has shown his dominance all season long, with a 10-4 record and a 2.30 ERA, he has really been the impact player for the A's this season. He looks to continue his dominance against a tough dodger offense. He shouldn't worry to much though, as the Dodger offense gets a ton of production from home runs, and Gray has only allowed 8 all season long.
Brett Anderson is starting his first game after leaving his start against the Nationals in the 4th inning after coming off the mound awkwardly on to his left foot, when he injured his Achilles tendon. It was not known to be serious, however, Anderson does have a history of awkward injuries, so it is something to watch for. Otherwise, Anderson has been very good this season - throwing 110.2 innings (exceeding his career high for a single season) and boasting a 3.33 ERA, also a career low. He looks to go 7 strong tonight and move past his last injury.
Other Notes
Justin Turner was scratched in the series finale against the Mets, and after a day off, is still not in the lineup. This has to do with a possible infection derived from a pimple on his leg, and abnormal reaction to medication. Read more about Turner's issue here.
The A's recalled Max Muncy to take over at 2nd base after they dealt Zobrist earlier today.
After moving Tyler Clippard, the A's announced that Edward Mujica would be the new closer, and could debut in that spot as soon as tonight if they have a lead. Mujica has a 3.86 ERA and 12 punchouts over 14.1 innings pitched this year with the A's.
Enjoy the short Series!