Oakland A’s pitcher Paul Blackburn will get the start on Thursday night at the Oakland Coliseum against the New York Yankees to open a four game series (whitecleatbeat.com file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s have an off-day on Wednesday. The A’s need the day off to regroup, and their manager, Bob Melvin, has to find a way to get his team back on the winning track. The A’s are 2-8 in their last ten games.

They are in second place in the AL West four and 1/2 games behind the first-place Houston Astros. The Seattle Mariners are in third place, one game behind the A’s. If the season were to end today, the A’s would not be in the playoffs.

They are two and 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox for the second Wild Card spot in the American League. Their chances to make the playoffs took a severe hit when they lost their ace, Chris Bassitt, for the remainder of the season. The A’s bullpen, so good for most of the season, blew leads in three consecutive games during the last ten played.

The A’s offense is in a slump. They are hitting .199 as a team in the last ten games. They have had men in scoring position but have failed to get the clutch hits needed. The three players they acquired at the trade deadline have played well since joining the team.

If they hope to make the playoffs, the A’s will have to find a way to stop the rampaging New York Yankees, who will be in town for a four-game series starting Thursday night. The Yankees have won 11 straight games. They have catapulted into the first Wild Card spot and have a two and 1/2 game lead over the Red Sox.

The Yankees have overcome injuries to their pitching staff as well as position players. They made two trades at the trade deadline that stunned the baseball world. They acquired two outstanding sluggers. They traded for Cubs’ first baseman, Anthony Rizzo.

The acquisition solved the problem at first base. Rizzo, a left-handed power hitter, has 17 homers and 49 RBIs. The other lefty power-hitter acquired was Joey Gallo. Gallo, hitting .206, has homered 29 times and driven in 63.
Along with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and catcher Gary Sanchez, New York has a lineup that can pulverize their opponent’s pitchers.

The Yankees infield will feature DJ Le Mahieu or Rougned Odor at second base. Shortstop Glyber Torres and third baseman Gio Urshela are both on the 10-day IL. Urshela may be back for the series with the A’s. Andrew Velazquez will probably be the shortstop in the interim.

The Yankees use several players in the outfield. Aaron Judge, hitting .285 with 27 homers and 65 RBIs, probably will be in right field. The Yankees will use him in center if needed. Joey Gallo can play all three outfield positions. Brett Gardner will probably see time in centerfield. Their designated hitter, Giancarlo Stanton, has hit 22 homers and driven in 65.

Here are the pitching matchups for the series. Thursday’s game will feature Jameson Taillon (8-4, 3.94 ERA) going for New York Against the A’s James Kaprielian (7-4, 3.25 ERA). On Friday, the ace of the Yankee staff and one of the best pitchers in baseball, Gerrit Cole, will pitch for the Yanks.

Cole is 12-6 and has an ERA of 2.92. Lefty Sean Manaea will go for Oakland Manaea has been struggling in his last three or four starts. The A’s need him to get back in the groove and be able to shut down the powerful Yankee lineup. Manaea is 8-8 with a 3.77 ERA. On Saturday, Nestor Cortes, Jr (2-1, 2.56 ERA) will be squaring off against the A’s Frankie Montas. Montas pitched well in his last start but did not get a decision. Montas is 9-9 with a 3.84 ERA.

Thursday’s pitching match ups: Lefty Jordan Montgomery (5-5, 3.69 ERA) goes for the Yankees on Sunday. The A’s will counter with Paul Blackburn. Blackburn is 0-1 and has a 4.09 ERA.

The A’s have to right the ship. They have to start hitting. They cannot continue to leave men in scoring position. They must cash in when they have the chance. The A’s have about five or six weeks left to play. They have to overcome adversity if they hope to be a championship team.

Late August and early September is the time of the year when good teams make their move to advance to the playoffs. Right now, the A’s are floundering. Let’s hope the A’s can figure out a solution to their current woes and get back on the winning track.