Game #61: Athletics vs. Twins Game Thread

New series and back home. Perfect time to snap a losing streak

Alright. That road trip wasn’t fun and the team is now on a horrendous six-game losing streak, but on the bright side it’s over and the A’s are back home in Sacramento for a nice long week. They’ll kick off the home stand tonight when they welcome the Minnesota Twins to town for the first of four matchups between these two clubs, while also celebrating the life and legacy of baseball icon Lou Gehrig.

Looking to play stopper for the Athletics will be staff leader Luis Severino. The veteran right-hander has put together three straight quality starts for the A’s after allowing 12 runs in just two starts prior to this little streak he’s putting together. He’ll hope to continue that tonight against a Twins lineup that has some quality bats but overall has struggled to find its rhythm and groove so far as we approach the ¹⁄₃ mark of the season. He’ll bring a 3.84 ERA into tonight’s contest hoping to drop that number even lower. The 32-year-old is 0-2 in three career starts against the Twins so he’ll not only be looking for his second win of this season, but he’s on the hunt for his first career win against Minnesota.

Lefty slugger Tyler Soderstrom is back in the infield tonight manning his old position of first base in Nick Kurtz’s absence. The team seems to prefer seeing the lefty-swinging Drew Avans in there tonight in left field against Minnesota’s excellent right-handed starter over the switch-hitting Logan Davidson manning first base. No surprise at the hot corner with CJ Alexander drawing another start at third base. Same in center field, where #4 prospect Denzel Clarke continues to get a nice long look. And Designated Hitter Brent Rooker will be looking to extend his team-leading five-game hit streak tonight so keep an eye there.

Minnesota will be going with one of their big guns in the first game tonight as right-hander Joe Ryan will take to the hill for his 12th start this year. He’s been electric for the Twins in what is the 28-year-old’s fourth full big league season, posting a top-10 ERA of 2.57 in 10 starts. A master at control, the A’s would be well-suited to come into this game against Ryan with a game plan to take whatever he gives them. He won’t beat himself.

Minnesota’s starting lineup behind Ryan shakes out like this tonight:

Severino needs to be careful with the top half of the Twins’ lineup. That’s where all their power is and that’s where the damage is likely to come. If he can tame those bats the team will be in an excellent position to snap this horrible six-game losing streak.

Let’s go A’s!