Game Thread #19: Athletics at Rangers

In the series finale against the Rangers, Brett Anderson will be taking the hill in lieu of Marco Estrada, whose start will be pushed back to the upcoming set against the Astros. Anderson has been the most successful starter for the A’s this year, the veteran lefty allowing just five runs in eighteen innings pitched this year, the team winning each of his starts. As opposed to Marco Estrada, who relies on pitching up in the zone and getting soft contact in the air, Anderson is at his best when he keeps the ball on the ground. The ball absolutely flies in Texas, so the best chance to succeed is to attack low in the zone and let the infield’s gold glove defense take care of the rest.

Should Anderson struggle, with the A’s in the middle of a stretch wherein they play just three games in six days, so the entire relief corps ought to be on call today to keep the game close. There shouldn’t be any need to come back from a 6-1 deficit today.

The A’s offense is going up against Adrian Sampson, last night’s scheduled starter. Shelby Miller, who has been incredibly ineffective to start 2019, is having his start pushed back.

First pitch is at 12:05. Lineups are below.