A’s vs. Tigers game thread

Kicking off a brand new series against Detroit

After dropping the last two games to the Mariners, Oakland begins their final series of the homestand on Friday evening, taking on the Detroit Tigers for the first of three in what will be their final time at the Coliseum.

Righty Mitch Spence is all set to take the ball for what will be his 20th start of the season. He’s probably only got a few more starts left in him but his rookie season has already been a success. A Rule 5 pick that needed to impress enough to stick on the roster all year, Spence started in the bullpen but has been in the starting rotation mid-May. He’s got a decent enough 4.50 ERA on the year while being one of the mainstays in a young rotation during the second half, and we’re all hoping he can pitch through the finish line and end the season on a high note. He’ll be facing the Tigers for the first time this evening. Advantage: Pitcher.

Here is how the Athletics will line up to kick off the final Tigers series at the Coliseum:

The club is going with the righty-heavy lineup with a tough opposing left-hander on the mound for Detroit. Starting catcher Shea Langeliers is back in the starting nine and bating third after getting yesterday’s finale off. Lefty swingers Tristan Gray and Seth Brown will head to the bench in favor of right-handed batters Tyler Nevin and Daz Cameron.

They’ll be going up against Tigers ace and runaway AL Cy Young favorite Tarik Skubal. The left-handed Skubal has been dominant in his fifth season, posting a strong 2.51 ERA for the Tigers, who are still within striking distance of a Wild Card spot. At 71-70 the Tigers have exceeded expectations this season and a lot of that is because of the dominance of Skubal. The Oakland bats have their work cut out for them tonight.

Detroit’s lineup for Friday night baseball:

Let’s go A’s!