MLB news roundup
Happy Thursday Athletics Nation!
The club came out of yesterday’s win just a few games behind the division-leading Texas Rangers. A dominant win last night helped the team inch closer to the AL West leaders and another win today would bring the two teams even closer in the standings. And with another series coming up next week between these two rivals these games against division opponents will be as or more important than wins or losses over other teams in the league.
Taking the mound today for the series finale will be rookie JT Ginn. Ginn has all of eight career starts entering this one so of course the baseball gods decide that he lines up to face former Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom. Even though the future Hall of Famer is past his prime it’s still got to be an intimidating feeling going up against him. Ginn is still fresh from the minors while deGrom is a household name for just about every baseball fan in the country. Anything can happen in baseball, including the rookie righty outdueling the future HoF’er. Maybe he’ll get some help from his new teammate Nick Kurtz?
After tonight’s series finale the A’s will welcome the Chicago White Sox to Sacramento for a weekend series. If it feels like these two teams just saw each other it’s because they did. Last week saw the Athletics march into Chicago and sweep the White Sox on their own field. That was what the club needed to do against a team that has been as open as possible about their lack of desire to contend this season. The White Sox were a record-breaking bad team last season and look the same this year as they sit at a miserable 5-19 and have lost three in a row as of this morning.
The pitching matchups for the White Sox series look like Luis Severino vs. Sean Burke on Friday, Jeffrey Springs vs. Jonathan Cannon on Saturday, and Osvaldo Bido vs. Davis Martin to wrap up the series and homestand on Sunday afternoon. Chicago didn’t get to see Severino last time around but the Athletics saw each starter the White Sox will throw at them in this series. Keep an eye out for the A’s versus White Sox Series Preview.
Have a great Thursday everyone.
A’s Coverage:
- Athletics beat Rangers as Kurtz makes MLB debut
- Athletics drop series opener to Rangers 8-5
- A’s roster moves: Kurtz promoted, Muncy optioned; bullpen shuffling
- Jose Leclerc shut down from throwing indefinitely
- John Fisher Is 2025’s Biggest Villain, Says Ken Rosenthal
- Team Timelines: How the Oakland A’s Played Moneyball
MLB News & Interest:
- Dodgers shut down starter Blake Snell, could need further imaging
- Rangers place shortstop Corey Seager on IL with hamstring strain
- Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez shut down with lat strain
- Mets’ closer Edwin Diaz ‘feeling way better’ after early exit
- Astros planning to get rookie Cam Smith time in center field
- Angels designate former Braves top prospect Ian Anderson for assignment
- 2025 Draft bonus pool and pick values for every team
- The fastest prospects in the game — one for each team
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
That is not a good sign at all:
José Leclerc (lat strain) is going to get a second opinion when the A’s are in Texas next week. He’s shut down for the time being with no timetable for a return.
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) April 23, 2025
Heck yes it is, Dallas:
“That’s a baby burrito.” – @DALLASBRADEN209 pic.twitter.com/7upGSRQap2
— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) April 24, 2025
This would have been eerily similar to Jacob Wilson getting injured in his own debut last year:
A bit of a scary moment as Nick Kurtz trips over the pitchers mound on a high infield pop up. He sticks with the play and stays in the game despite a hard fall. #Athletics pic.twitter.com/qPIfKCU6BW
— Uprooted (@uprootedoakland) April 24, 2025