Rangers vs. A’s game one thread
JP Sears gets the rock as the A’s try to turn around a three-game losing skid
After back-to-back gut-wrenching losses to the Texas Rangers — both in far different fashions — the A’s still somehow have a chance to escape the series with a split thanks to todays doubleheader.
Good morning and happy hump day, A’s Nation. Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks famously once said, “let’s play two,” and today would be that day.
The A’s will hand the ball to JP Sears for game one of the doubleheader to mark his eighth start of the season. Sears went 6.1 innings of scoreless one-hit baseball the last time he faced the Rangers in Texas on April 11 while taking a no hitter into the seventh. In his last scheduled start against the Miami Marlins, Sears dropped the same 6.1 scoreless line with four hits surrendered.
For every time that Sears has looked in control, however, he’s also had his fair share of rough starts. Setting the tone in game one today with a strong outing would be a reassuring sight for A’s fans, coaches and personnel after the last 11 innings of baseball the team has endured.
Here’s the lineup that Mark Kotsay will use Wednesday notably not including Kyle McCann and Seth Brown who both went yard yesterday:
Bright and early ☀️ pic.twitter.com/egO4P9n6x7
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 8, 2024
The Rangers will counter with righty flamethrower Michael Lorenzen who’s looked great in his four starts this season since coming off the Injured List on April 15. Lorenzen has gone at least five innings in each of his starts while handling offenses like the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals in the process.
Lorenzen's last start in particular at Kansas City was his best of the season as he surrendered just four hits and a run across six innings. This will be his fourth start of five on the road this season, and he pitches to just a 2.12 ERA away from Arlington.
As for the Rangers offensively, it could be fair to say that Jonah Heim, Marcus Semien and Corey Seager don’t want to leave Oakland just yet. Heim is 5-8 with two RBIs and a few runs this series, Seager’s 3-8 with a game-changing home run on Monday and Semien is 4-10 after nearly hitting for the cycle in yesterdays onslaught. Sears will have his hands full with one of the leagues best lineups this afternoon.
Here’s how that lineup will shake out:
Let's play two. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/U8JsmRk0wP
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) May 8, 2024
As said in the intro, the A’s have a chance to wipe away two games of tough baseball with a good full day at the office today. Sears has yet to lose in his career against the Rangers, and we’ll be damned if that day comes today. In all seriousness though, a win right here in this first game feels needed and Sears is more than capable.
See you soon A’s fans, enjoy your days!