Category: Oakland Athletics

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Have the Young, Exciting Players the Giants Lack

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Photo credit: @AthleticsPR

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

The San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics are two totally different ball clubs that play on opposite sides of the Bay Area. The Giants are one of the oldest teams trying to capture the same magic with most of the same cast: Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Brandon Crawford, Madison Bumgarner. Meanwhile, the A’s have a refreshing, talented bunch of young players with their best years ahead of them, like Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Mark Canha, Chad Pinder and Khris Davis. The A’s young squad is one of the most prolific home run squads in the game, as they can score so much in order to win.

In case you need a refresher, the A’s play in the American League West, which is one of the strongest divisions in baseball. The Giants play in the National League West, which is pretty much just a bunch of teams barely above the .500 mark and trying to survive July. Yet, the Giants are still constructed to win it all, while the A’s are a couple of years away. But this season, the A’s might even finish in second place, after finishing as cellar-dwellars in the last three years.

And yes, it is a different game today, as hitters do not choke-up at the plate trying to make contact. The hit and run (and a stolen base, for that matter) is rarely seen. Also, the bunt is like a the typewriter–it is a conversational topic, but when somebody actually bunts, it is like a breaking news headline.

Let’s face it, in our Statcast world, it is all about the home run today, and there is no dishonor of striking out. Hence, the many .220 and .230 averages we have seen in every lineup. During the last few years, teams have been building bullpens and starters and have a hard time when they face the hitters for the third time around.

The A’s third baseman is Matt Chapman and the first baseman Matt Olson. They are two of the most exciting, all-around ballplayers in the game today, since they both can hit with power, and will likely win a few Gold Gloves. Moreover, Mark Canha can play in the outfield and has shown his excellent power on display. It is getting better–the more he plays. Additionally, Chad Pinder could play everyday, but he is the young super-utility player who plays six different positions for Bob Melvin’s team.

Melvin continues to be one of the best managers in the game, not because he has won two Manager of the Year awards–one with Arizona the other one with Seattle–but because of his tremendous ability and patience to manage young talent.

Davis is one of the most consistent sluggers in the MLB and obviously doesn’t get the same respect other sluggers get. In 2016, he hit 42 home runs and drove in 102 in his first season in Oakland, Calif. In 2017, he hit 43 homers and drove in 110. And, this season, he is on a pace to repeat for the third year in a row. He is a DH because he does his job–he hits and drives in runs. He is as dangerous of a hitter in a game situation as there is today.

As we get close to the All-Star Game on July 17th at Nationals Park–home of the Washington Nationals–both the A’s and Giants have the same goal to make the postseason. For the A’s, is much more difficult because among the AL super teams this year, two are in their division–the World Champion Houston Astros and the much-improved Seattle Mariners. The A’s record today would put them neck-and-neck with the Cleveland Indians, who are on top of the Central Division. And, with a 49-40 record today, the A’s would be right at the top of the NL West.

There are approximately 70 games left for most of the teams at this junction of the season. Both the A’s and Giants are still hoping for a wild card berth. I believe in the AL West, everybody is playing for second place, but only God knows in the NL West.

The Giants are probably going to go the second half with what they have on hand right now, and I do not expect to see any trades. For the Giants, the challenge will be this winter when they will have to re-direct their future.

For the A’s, they could be buyers or sellers, most likely division sellers, but they have to keep playing as good as they have been doing as of late, because I do not know if the Seattle Mariners have a collapse coming during the second half.

A’s crash and burn in the road opener in Cleveland Friday night, losing 10-4

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
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Matt Olson hit his 19th home run of 2018 in the second inning Photo: @Athletics

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics have feasted on the American League Central Division. One of the reasons the A’s record improved so dramatically in late June and early July was their performance versus the AL Central teams.

On Friday night, it looked like that feast would continue as the A’s jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on home runs by Dustin Fowler in the first inning and Matt Olson in the second inning. Oakland (48-40) appeared ready to make it a short game for Indians starter Carlos Carrasco.

Cleveland (49-37) had a completely different idea about the game. They put a run up on the board in the bottom of the second which started them on a march to victory. The Indians added three more runs to their total in the home half of the third inning to take a 4-2 lead, and they would never relinquish that lead.

The Indians would score six additional runs while the A’s would add two runs to their total. Cleveland won game one 10-4.

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It was a sellout crowd at Progressive Field in Cleveland Photo: @Indians

This game was about hitting

Cleveland

  • The Indians scored their 10 runs on just 10 hits — that’s efficiency.
  • Cleveland recorded 10 hits and struck out just four times. That is not the norm in the days of teams recording more strikeouts than hits.
  • They scored those 10 runs and had only three batters walk.
  • Cleveland went 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left just two runners on base.
  • The Indians scored their 10 runs without hitting a home run. Their key weapon was the two-base hit. They hit three doubles in the game
  • Lindor, Brantley, Ramirez, and Encarnacion all had two-hit games. Ramirez and Encarnacion recorded three RBI each.

Oakland

  • The A’s scored their four runs off 11 hits. Only one Oakland batter walked.
  • The A’s hitters also struck out 11 times for a one hit to one strikeout ratio — not unusual this season but not what any manager wants to see from his team.
  • Mark Canha led the Oakland hitting attack going 3-for-4 with an RBI (33). One of his hits was his 14th double of the season.
  • Fowler, Olson, and Semien all had two-hit nights. Fowler also picked up two RBIs.
  • Oakland went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base.

It was a night of many pitchers

Indians

  • Carlos Carrasco (9-5) made the start for Cleveland and picked up the win. He worked 5.1-innings giving up three runs (all earned) on seven hits. Carrasco struck out seven A’s and walked none. He did allow two home runs.
  • Cleveland used five relief pitchers. Four of them pitched less than an inning.
  • Dan Otero — who pitched for the A’s for three seasons — pitched the final two innings of the game for the Indians.
  • No save was awarded.

Athletics

  • Paul Blackburn started the game for the A’s and worked 4.0 innings. He gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits. Blackburn struck three and walked one. He was charged with the loss and his record falls to 2-3.
  • Yusmeiro Petit worked 2.0 innings of no-hit baseball. He walked one and struck out one.
  • Emilio Pagan really struggled as he pitched 0.2 innings allowing four runs (all earned) on just three hits.
  • Santiago Casilla came in to close out the seventh inning for Pagan.
  • Chris Hatcher worked a perfect eighth inning for Oakland against the Indians.

Up next

The A’s and Indians will play game two of the three-game series on Saturday at 1:10 pm PDT. The “ageless one” Edwin Jackson (1-0, 2.13) will start for Oakland and the very tough Corey Kluber (12-4, 2.64) will take the hill for the Indians.

Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman: A’s having best run of the season; Still chipping away at first place–now 8 1/2 back

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Photo credit: @Athletics

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Joey:

The A’s are on a roll, playing their best ball of the season at 8-2. They finished the homestand at 4-1–an improvement over some past homestands they’ve had this year. Friday night, the A’s will start Paul Blackburn (2-2, 6.46 ERA). Blackburn has struggled in some of his outings. A’s pitching coach Scott Emerson said Blackburn has improved in bullpen practices. Last Friday, Blackburn beat Cleveland, going 6.1 innings and didn’t allow a run.

A’s pitcher Edwin Jackson will get the start for Oakland on Saturday his third start of the year. Jackson is throwing well. He’s allowed two or less runs in his last two starts. The A’s are 8 1/2 games out of first place behind the Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners, who just ended their eight-game win streak, are in second.

Joey Friedman does the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

A’s take on the Indians for a 3-game series starting Friday

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s are playing their best baseball so far this the season. They went 8-2 on their last 10-game road trip and finished their five-game homestand with a 4-1 record Two of the wins came at the expense of the Cleveland Indians last weekend in Oakland. Neither Carlos Carrasco or Corey Kluber pitched last weekend, but they are getting the call as the Indians will be trying to slow down the A’s express train.

Friday’s game will feature Carrasco going against the A’s Paul Blackburn. It will be Carrasco’s first start since going on the DL after a line drive hit his throwing elbow on June 16th. The A’s will counter with Paul Blackburn, who beat Cleveland last Friday night as he went 6 1/3 innings and did not allow a run. Blackburn is 2-2 and has a 6.46 ERA. Carrasco is 8-5, and has a 4.24 ERA. Carrasco was 18-6 in 2017.

On Saturday, A’s veteran right-hander Edwin Jackson will make his third start of the season. Jackson has allowed two runs or fewer in both his starts and he recorded a win over the Tribe last Saturday in 6 2/3 innings of work. He will have to be on the top of his game as his opponent will be two-time Cy Young award winner Corey Kluber, who is having another outstanding season as he owns a 12-4 record.

Sunday’s game will feature A’s Frankie Montas going against Indians’ Shane Bieber. Montas is 4-2, but he has given up eight hits or more in three of his last four starts and took the loss Sunday. The Indians blasted the A’s 15-3, and Montas was the losing pitcher. Bieber is 4-0 with a 2.97 ERA. This will be the first time the A’s will be facing Bieber.

The Indians have a good hitting team. They are in first place in the AL Central with a 48-37 record. The hitting and starting pitching has overcome the many injuries the team has suffered. Also, the bullpen is not at it’s best as Andrew Miller and Nick Goody are on the DL.

The A’s will see some familiar faces working in the Indians’ bullpen. Former A’s relievers Dan Otero and Marc Rzepczynski, as well as former SF Giant George Kontos, probably will see action against the A’s this weekend. Other relievers are Zach McAllister and veteran lefty hurler Oliver Perez. Righty Cody Allen is the closer.

The Indians have some outstanding players in their lineup. A’s pitchers will have to deal with shortstop Francisco Lindor, third baseman Jose Ramirez, second baseman Jason Kipnis, and first baseman Yonder Alonso. Kipnis is having a down year, but if he can regain his hitting stroke, he is capable of being able to cause a lot of damage. Lindor and Ramirez are probably heading to the All-Star game. Lindor is hitting .297 with 23 homers and 55 RBIs. He has a .948 OPS. Ramirez has 24 home runs, 55 RBIs, a .294 batting average and a .998 OPS.

Left fielder Michael Brantley is also playing well. Brantley’s average is .301, and he has 48 RBI’s. Lonnie Chisenhall and Rajai Davis will see action in right and center. Indians’ DH, Edwin Encarnacion is not hitting for average, but the 35-year-old has blasted 20 homers and has driven in 58.

There is no question that the Indians can rake. The big problem will be this: Will the A’s pitching be able to shut down the Cleveland offense? The Indians play better at home. They are 27-13 at Progressive Field. So A’s manager Bob Melvin will have to figure out a way to keep the Indians from putting runs on the board.

The A’s are also playing well. Melvin has done an amazing job as his starting rotation has been decimated by injuries. Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, Andrew Triggs, Daniel Mengden, Daniel Gossett all have started for the A’s, but are currently on the DL. Jharel Cotton and A.J. Puk were projected to be in this season’s starting rotation, but are gone for the year as they both underwent Tommy John surgery.

The Indian pitchers will also have to be able to handle the A’s hitters. Jed Lowrie leads the A’s in hitting and runs batted in. Lowrie is having a career year and hopefully will represent the A’s in the All-Star game. Matt Olson, Khris Davis, Matt Chapman, Chad Pinder, and Stephen Piscotty are all capable of sending baseballs out of the stadium. The A’s can hit. The A’s have a tough trip as they go to Houston for four and San Francisco for three. It will be a difficult trip. Let’s hope the A’s will do well.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s Manaea with another strong outing–no decision, but A’s win

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Photo credit: sfexaminer.com

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry:

A’s pitcher Sean Manaea had a strong performance against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s got the 4-2 win. Manaea went seven innings, two runs, and four hits. A’s manager Bob Melvin likes what Manaea has done in the number one starting role in the rotation.

The A’s continue to roll with their eighth win out of their last nine games. The A’s have won 14 of their last 17 games. The A’s are winning games when they’re behind and A’s hitter Stephen Piscotty was clutch, hitting a two-run double to put the A’s ahead of the Padres in the eighth inning.

The A’s have the day off Thursday and head onto Progressive Field for the start of a three-game series in Cleveland. The A’s will start Paul Blackburn (2-2 ERA 6.46) against Carlos Carrasco (8-5 ERA 4.24) for Cleveland.

Jerry Feitelberg does the A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

A’s continue to roll as they down Padres 4-2 for 2-game sweep

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND, Calif. — The A’s continue to play great baseball as they prevailed over the San Diego Padres 4-2 on the Fourth of July, Both teams played well, but in the end, the A’s were just a wee bit better.

A’s starter Sean Manaea did not figure in the decision, but had another strong pitching performance. Manaea went seven innings and allowed two runs and four hits. The Padres’ starter Luis Perdomo also pitched well. His line was 5 2/3 innings of work and he, too, allowed two runs and four hits.

The A’s won the game in the bottom of the eighth when they, as they have done so many times this season, were able to score late in the game. The A’s won for the eighth time in the last nine game and have won 14 of the last 17 as they move to a season-high nine games above the .500 mark with a record of 48-39.

The Padres scored two in the top of the second inning. Manaea issued a free pass to Hunter Renfroe. Padres’ rookie third baseman Christian Villaneuva homered to left field to give the Padres an early 2-0 lead. The A’s plated one in their half of the inning. With one out, Luis Perdomo walked Matt Olson. Right fielder Stephen Piscotty lined a ball into the gap in left-center-field to drive in Olson.

The A’s tied the game in the third. Josh Phegley walked to get things going. Dustin Fowler singled to put men on at first and second with no out. Perdomo struck out Matt Joyce for the first out. Jed Lowrie walked to load the bases. A’s DH Khris Davis followed with a solid single to left field to drive in Phegley. Matt Olson hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

The A’s scored twice in the bottom of the eighth. Jed Lowrie received a walk that started the rally. Khris Davis doubled to left. Lowrie stopped at third. The Padres issued an intentional walk to Matt Olson to load the bases. Piscotty made the Padres pay as he hit his third double of the game to drive in Lowrie and Davis.

The Padres escaped further damage when they retired Olson at home on a force out, and Villaneuva turned a line shot off Marcus Semien’s bat into a 5-4 double play to end the inning. The A’s lead 4-2 heading into the top of the ninth. A’s closer Blake Treinen gave up a couple of hits but was able to escape without any damage and recorded his twenty-second save of the season.

Game Notes: Stephen Piscotty had three doubles in the game to tie and Oakland A’s single-game record. Treinen’s has converted each of his last 19 save opportunities dating back to May 4th. Lou Trivino was the winning pitcher, and his record is now 7-1. Jose Castillo absorbed the loss. The line score for the A’s was four runs, six hits, and no errors. The Padres’ line was two runs, seven hits, and no errors.

Khris Davis extended his hit streak to seven games, the second highest such streak of the season…is 10-for-27 (.370) during this span. • Matt Joyce snapped a five-game hitting streak. Mark Canha went hitless to end his career high 11 game hitting streak.

A’s third baseman Matt Chapman made the defensive play of the day in the sixth inning. He stabbed a Hunter Renfroe smash that looked like it was heading into the left-field corner. He dived for the ball and snared and in one motion righted himself to start a 5-4-3 double play.

Time of game was a crisp two hours and 33 minutes and 14,408 people watched as the A’s won again.

Up Next: The A’s are off on Thursday as they travel to Cleveland to face the Indians at Progressive Field starting Friday night. Paul Blackburn (2-2, ERA 6.46) will pitch for Oakland, and Cleveland will counter with righty Carlos Carrasco (8-5, ERA 4.24). The game will start at 4:10 pm PDT.

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: A’s lineup delivers punch to help them get wins in crucial times

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Photo credit: @Athletics

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O:

Rally caps paid off at the Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday night as the Oakland A’s got five runs in the sixth inning to beat the San Diego Padres 6-2 to start this brief two-game series. A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt didn’t pitch quite as well as he did on the last road trip (he threw a shutout), but two runs, seven hits, two runs, six hits in 4.2 innings was not a bad outing.

Jed Lowrie hit a bases loaded three-run double and picked up his 25th double of the season with 59 RBIs. Mark Canha has proven to be a tough out he’s on an 11-game hit streak and has reached base in 12 straight games.

The A’s will start pitcher Sean Manaea (8-6). The Padres have announced they’ll start Luis Perdomo (1-2).

Charlie O podcasts A’s baseball each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s erupt for five runs in the sixth to beat the Padres 6-2

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A’s, perhaps energized by a large and boisterous home crowd, scored five runs in the fifth and one in the seventh to notch their 13th win in their last 16 games by a score of 6-2.

A’s starter Chris Bassitt was not as sharp as he was last week when he received credit for his first win of the year. The Padres had a great opportunity in the third inning as they had the bases loaded with no outs, but failed to score. The A’s made two terrific plays on defense to snuff out runs and keep the game scoreless. The Padres’ veteran starter, Clayton Richard, mesmerized the A’s for the first five innings before this team, so confident that they can overcome any deficit, erupted for five runs and pinned the loss on Richard.

In the third inning, Bassitt walked leadoff hitter Freddy Galvis. Austin Hedges and Travis Jankowski followed with singles to load the bases with no out. Manuel Margot hit a slow roller back to Bassitt. Bassitt made a terrific play as he fell to his knees and was able to throw home to nail Galvis for the first out, The throw from Jonathan Lucroy was not in time to nail Margot to complete the double play. The bases remained loaded. Eric Hosmer then hit a ground ball that was fielded by first baseman Matt Olson, who threw a strike to Lucroy at home for the second out. Bassitt struck out Wil Myers to end the inning.

The Padres, after threatening to score in the first and third innings, plated two runs in the top of the fifth. With one out, right fielder Travis Jankowski singled. Padres’ center fielder Manuel Margot followed with a single to send Jankowski to third. The next hitter, Eric Hosmer, hit a dribbler ball that A’s first baseman Matt Olson fielded. Olson’s throw to Bassitt was dropped, and Jankowski scored on the play.

A’s manager Bob Melvin challenged the call saying that Hosmer interfered with Bassitt’s ability to catch and hold onto the ball. The call was overturned, and Hosmer was called out. Margot went to second and scored on a double off the bat of Will Myers. Richard retired the A’s in order in the bottom of the fifth. The Padres led 2-0 after five innings.

The A’s offense–held in check for five innings by Richard–woke up and scored five runs on four hits. Chad Pinder walked to start the rally. Marcus Semien followed with a single. Richard walked Stephen Piscotty to load the bases with no out, and Richard now had to face the A’s best hitter Jed Lowrie. Lowrie sent the crowd into a frenzy when he doubled to left field to clear the bases. For Lowrie, it was his 25th double of the year and increased his RBI total to 59. Khris Davis singled to drive in Lowrie with the fourth run of the frame. Matt Olson hit into a double play, but the A’s were not finished scoring. Mark Canha extended his 10-game hitting streak to 11 when he blasted his 11th home run of the year into the bleacher seats in left field. Everyone in the park knew the ball was going out of the park as soon as it left the bat. The A’s led 5-0 after six innings.

The A’s tacked on a run in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Chad Pinder blasted the first pitch he saw from reliever Adam Cimber into the seats about 15 rows back of the “Rooted in Oakland” sign in left field. The Padres trailed the A’s 6-2 at the end of seven.

The A’s bullpen did the job again as the Padres were held scoreless the rest of the way. A’s manager Bob Melvin used Emilio Pagan, Ryan Buchter, Lou Trivino, and Blake Treinen to finish the game. Bassitt did not receive credit for the win as he went just 4 2/3 innings. He allowed seven hits and two runs. Emilio Pagan was the winning pitcher.

Game Notes: Chris Bassitt tied a season-high with six strikeouts. Mark Canha hit safely in his career-high 11th straight game. Emilio Pagan has not allowed a run in 16 of his 17 appearances since being recalled from Triple-A on May 18th.

The A’s are 33-0 when leading after seven innings. They are the only team in the MLB to do so. The A’s grounded into five double plays Tuesday night. The last time they did that and won was on June 2, 1973, in Boston.

The A’s are now 47-39 and are eight games over the .500 mark. The Padres dropped to 37-50. Richard’s record is now 7-8 for the year, and Pagan is 2-0.

Sean Manaea (8-6) will hurl for the A’s on Wednesday. The Padres have not announced their starter.

Time of game was two hours and 39 minutes and 29,975 fans enjoyed the Green and Gold win.

Up Next: The A’s and Padres will conclude their series on a Fourth of July Wednesday at 1:05 pm PDT.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: How DeMarcus fits in at Golden State; Lowrie will represent A’s at All Star game

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bleacherreport.com file photo: Former New Orleans Pelicans DeMarcus Cousins is signed up for one season with Golden State

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

The Golden State Warriors knew they couldn’t leave DeMarcus Cousins out all on his lonesome so Cousins made it easy for Golden State and came to them and they both came to a shocking agreement to a $5.3 million for a season. The Warriors made a move after LeBron James made signed with the Lakers over the weekend.

Kevin Durant, who has two years left on his deal with Golden State and the second year being an option year, could leave the Warriors and such a departure would be a huge impact.

Oakland A’s Baseball Company: The A’s open a two-game homestand tonight against the San Diego Padres after coming off a 15-3 loss to Cleveland Sunday after ending a six game win streak. During the streak A’s reliever Blake Treinen who has 21 saves so far this season.

It’ll be the Padres Clayton Richard 7-7 ERA 4.29 and for the A’s starter Chris Bassitt gets the call 1-3 ERA 2.82 for tonight at the Coliseum.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame Museum vice president, the A’s Spanish play by play radio talent, and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A quick look at the upcoming A’s vs. Padres 2-game set in Oakland

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s will host the San Diego Padres for two games beginning Tuesday, July 3rd. The teams met in San Diego in mid-June, and the A’s won both games. They won the first game in dramatic fashion when with two out and two strikes, Stephen Piscotty homered to tie the game and then they won it on a Jed Lowrie blast.

The Padres are currently in last place in the NL West with a record of 37-49. The Padres are managed by Andy Green, and they have two former A’s stars on their coaching staff. The fans will welcome Mark McGwire and Matt Stairs back to the Coliseum. The Padres are in a rebuilding mode, and many of the players are not household names yet.

The Padres announced that lefty Clayton Richard will take the mound Tuesday night. Richard is 7-7 and has an ERA of 4.29. Richard has worked at least six innings in his last 10 outings. However, he lost his last start last week against the Texas Rangers. Chris Bassitt goes for Oakland. Bassitt is 1-3, and his ERA is 2.82. Bassitt beat the Detroit Tigers last Wednesday in Detroit. He went six innings and allowed no runs and just two hits. It was his best performance of the year. On Wednesday, Padres’ righty Eric Lauer will face off against the A’s ace Sean Manaea.

Padre players to keep an eye on will be first baseman Eric Hosmer, shortstop Freddy Galvis, infielders Cory Spangenberg and Christian Villaneuva. Villaneuva is hitting .294 and has 16 home runs and 39 RBIs to his credit. Outfielder Will Myers is off the DL, and the A’s pitchers will have to be careful not to make any mistakes while pitching to him. Other players to keep an eye on are Jose Pirela, Hunter Renfroe, Manuel Margot, and Travis Jankowski.

The A’s beat the Indians two out of three over the weekend and are 10-3 in the last 13 games. The A’s would like to sweep the Padres as they start a 10-game road trip in Cleveland on Friday. They play four in Houston and return to the Bay Area to finish the trip with three games with the San Francisco Giants.

The A’s are in third place in the AL West with a record of 46-39. The team has been playing well, and third baseman Matt Chapman is expected back Tuesday night from the 10-day DL. The A’s have shown that they can overcome deficits in the late innings of any game. They are playing with a lot of confidence. The A’s bullpen has been very good. They are the only team in baseball that has not lost after holding the lead after the seventh inning.

Tuesday’s game will start at 6 pm PDT. There will be a fireworks show after the game. There is nothing better than baseball, apple pie, fireworks, and the Fourth of July.