Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt throwing a two hit shutout against the Los Angeles Angels at the Oakland Ring Central Coliseum on Thu May 27, 2021 (AP News file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s open a nine-game homestand starting Tuesday night at the Coliseum. The A’s will play two games against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday and Wednesday. The A’s are In first place in the AL West with a record of 35-26, the A’s will send righty Chris Bassitt to the mound.

Bassitt’s record is 5-2. Bassitt lasted only four innings in his last start against the Seattle Mariners. However, since the beginning of May, Bassitt has allowed just four walks and three home runs. In last place in the NL West with a record of 20-41, the D-Backs will send out righty Jon Duplantier to handle the pitching chores Tuesday night.

Duplantier will be making his third MLB start for the D-Backs. He is 0-1 with an ERA of 9.35. In his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers, he allowed five runs in four innings of work. On Wednesday, Sean Manaea will go for Oakland. Manaea’s last outing saw him throw a complete-game shutout against the Seattle Mariners. The D-Backs have not announced their starter yet.

There are some familiar names on D-Backs’ manager Torey Lovullo’s roster. Catcher Stephen Vogt, outfielder Josh Reddick, and pitchers Joakim Soria and Ryan Buchter may all be making appearances in the two-game series. The D-Backs’ starting rotation has bit hit by the injury jinx.

Former San Francisco Giant ace Madison Bumgarner is on the 10-day IL. Other starters on the IL include Tyler Widener, Luke Weaver, and Seth Frankoff. Joakim Soria is listed as the D-Backs’ closer. Soria has yet to record a save so far this year.

The D-Backs have several pitchers that they are using as starters as well as relievers. Those players are Caleb Smith and Matt Peacock. Lovullo can use those two or Merrill Kelly, Riley Smith, and Zack Gallen as a starter for Wednesday’s game.

Carson Kelly is the D-Backs primary receiver. Stephen Vogt will back him up. The infield will feature Christian Walker at first base, Josh Rojas at second, Nick Ahmed at short, and Eduardo Escobar at third. Asdrubal Cabrera, in his 15th season, can fill in at either first, second or third.

Players patrolling the outfield will be David Peralta in left, Ketel Marte in center, and Josh Reddick in right. Lovullo may also use Tim Locastro, Josh Rojas, and Pavin Smith as replacements.

The D-Backs may be shopping several of their key players before the July 30th trade deadline. Names that have popped up as trade possibilities are Ketel Marte and Eduardo Escobar.

Escobar is leading the team with 14 homers and 41 RBIs. The New York Yankees are rumored to have Marte on their radar screen as they need a replacement for the injured Aaron Hicks.

The A’s are in the AL West, leading the Houston Astros by one game. The A’s need to beat teams with poor records, such as the D-Backs. A two-game sweep would be a good way to start the nine-game homestand. A’s manager Bob Melvin will have his team ready.