Starling Marte debut!
The Oakland A’s lineup has a new look! They made a big trade yesterday, and now they’ve got Starling Marte batting second and playing in center field. Why center? Because Ramon Laureano said so!
Bob Melvin says Laureano actually came to him and told him to let Starling Marte play center. Said there’s actually benefits to Laureano in right, including more opportunities to throw runners out.
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) July 29, 2021
Armed with a new star in the mix, the A’s stay in Southern California but head from San Diego to Anaheim to face the Angels. It’ll be Frankie Montas on the mound for Oakland in the opener, coming off three straight quality starts. He’s gone against the Halos twice this year, once being tagged with four unearned runs in a hard-luck loss, and then later tossing seven sparkling frames in a win.
The Angels will be without All-Star slugger Jared Walsh, who went on the injured list yesterday with an intercostal strain. However, they have gotten back fellow star slugger Justin Upton since we last saw them.
Before we get to the lineups, here’s more of Ramon The Natural Leader talking about his new teammate Marte.
Laureano cont.: “I mean he has shown it. And it’s facts, you know? He’s legit out there in center field. And I feel like I can use my arm a little bit more. It just works better like that.” (2/2)
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) July 30, 2021
A’s lineup (away)
- LF Mark Canha (R)
- CF Starling Marte (R)
- 1B Matt Olson (L)
- 2B Jed Lowrie (S)
- RF Ramon Laureano (R)
- DH Mitch Moreland (L)
- 3B Matt Chapman (R)
- C Sean Murphy (R)
- SS Elvis Andrus (R)
- RHP Frankie Montas
Welcome Starling!
Angels lineup (home)
- 2B David Fletcher (R)
- DH Shohei Ohtani (L)
- 1B Phil Gosselin (R)
- LF Justin Upton (R)
- C Max Stassi (R)
- CF Brandon Marsh (L)
- SS Jose Iglesias (R)
- RF Adam Eaton (L)
- 3B Jack Mayfield (R)
- RHP Dylan Bundy (R)
Let’s go Oakland!
How To Watch
- Date: Thursday, July 29
- Time: 6:38 p.m. PT
- TV (local): NBC Sports California
- Radio: 960 AM (more listings here)
- Streaming (watch): NBCS website (with cable sub)
- Streaming (listen): A’s Cast