Elephant Rumblings: Yankees on their way

MLB news roundup

Good morning A’s Nation!

The team has the day off as they prepare for the New York Yankees to arrive in West Sacramento for a highly anticipated weekend series. The Green & Gold are coming off of two straight losses but could have walked away from their previous series with a home sweep if things broke a bit more in their Athletics’ favor. If only the bullpen had held together a bit more. Can’t look backwards now though, especially with the Evil Empire about to make their first trip to Sacramento.

The Yankees come to town holding a 2 ¹⁄₂ game lead over their arch rivals, the Boston Red Sox, in the AL East race. It’s still early but these games will mean a lot come the end of the season, especially if tie-breaker scenarios are involved. The A’s need a real test to prove that their start to the season isn’t a fluke. Led by a strong position player core and a solid if unspectacular pitching staff, it’s been the right mix to give the team a chance to be in the playoff hunt so far. Now’s the time to prove they belong.

This series promises to bring the closest thing to postseason energy the team has seen in years with both clubs in the thick of the playoff race. It’s fair to expect bigger crowds, national media attention, and a lot more eye on the squad with the arrival of the superstar Yankees. The A’s pitching staff will have their hands full with a powerful Yankees lineup, but they’re surely ready to embrace the challenge. One suggestion: avoid Aaron Judge.

For the fans attending, it’s going to be a fun weekend at the ballpark whatever day they pick. And for the players it’s a chance to be seen by more than hardcore A’s fans and to showcase their talents on a more national stage. Who could ever fault a player for that?

Have an excellent Thursday, everyone!

A’s Coverage:

• A’s drop second straight to Mariners, fall 6-5
• Hoglund certain he belongs with Athletics after second strong start
• Athletics unveil new renderings, timeline for $1.75B Vegas ballpark
• FOX5 in Las Vegas to air 15 Athletics games this season
• Oakland Ballers sign 10-year lease to stay at Raimondi Park

MLB News & Interest:

• Yankees’ Stanton could rejoin team when first eligible
• Orioles acquire reliever Luis F. Castillo from Mariners
• Rockies’ Kris Bryant to undergo alation procedure on back
• Fan hurt at PNC calls injuries ‘broken everything’
• Tigers option Manuel Margot, release Kenta Maeda
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Kotsay likes the direction the team is headed:

Whoa!