MLB news roundup
Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!
The A’s split their final series at the Coliseum against the Mariners this week. They’ll have a chance to finish on a winning note when the Oakland Athletics play their final series—period—in Seattle at the end of September.
The A’s have greatly improved since right around the All-Star Break. They’ve been a lot of fun to follow with Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler forming one of the hardest hitting tandems in baseball, a rotation of striving young arms showing signs of improvement, and closer Mason Miller exhibiting some of the best stuff any pitcher has to offer.
It’s almost enough to make one forget that the end of the Oakland era is nigh upon us.
This tragic ending is going to start feeling all too real, as the A’s have just nine games left to play at the Coliseum. They begin a three game series against Detroit today to finish out the team’s penultimate homestand in Oakland.
The A’s will roll through Houston and Chicago before their final homestand. The Yankees will play three at the Coliseum to pit their own titanic duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto against Rooker and Butler. Then Marcus Semien and the Texas Rangers will pay a final visit to close out 57 years of Oakland Athletics baseball at the Coliseum.
I’m feeling pretty bitter about this unceremonious departure of my favorite sports franchise from the city I once trusted the A’s were “rooted” in. Regardless, I will be savoring every last moment that remains to watch the Oakland Athletics play baseball. Looks like they’ll end on a pretty good note.
Have a wonderful weekend, AN.
A’s Coverage:
- A’s drop series finale against Seattle, 6-4
- Billie Joe Armstrong enlists Green Day bandmate in Oakland A’s protest ($)
- Injuries & Moves: Basso recalled; Junk DFA’d
- Longtime A’s, Sharks studio host says he’ll soon be out at NBC Sports
- Rooker swats 34th, 35th HRs in pursuit of making A’s hitting history
MLB News & Interest:
- Giants Extend Matt Chapman
- After Chapman deal, will Giants also move to retain Blake Snell and other veterans? ($)
- Top 50 MLB prospects: Two Tigers lead off while Bazzana cracks Top 5 of Bowden’s rankings ($)
- Pirates To Designate Domingo Germán For Assignment
- Twins Place Max Kepler On Injured List, Select DaShawn Keirsey Jr.
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
Roster moves.
LHP Brady Basso to A’s, RHP Janson Junk DFA’d, 1B Tyler Soderstrom to LV on rehab, LHP Scott Alexander off A’s IL, RHP Joe Boyle to LV, 3B-1B CJ Alexander claimed off waivers/to LV, LHP Will Johnston to MID, RHP Drew Conover to LAN, Abraham Toro to LV IL…https://t.co/joKXkyUAPy
— Athletics Farm (@AthleticsFarm) September 5, 2024
Law is not the only Athletic terrorizing opposing pitchers.
All-Star snub Brent Rooker during an 8-game hitting streak is batting .438 with five extra-base hits, seven RBI and eight runs scored.
— Jessica Kleinschmidt (@KleinschmidtJD) September 5, 2024
The Law.
Lawrence Butler during his active 15-game hitting streak:
24-for-61 (.393 AVG)
8 HR
14 XBH
14 RBI
4/3 K/BB pic.twitter.com/rJILEDbbiP— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 6, 2024
Remembering the A’s HOF inauguration.
This Date in Coliseum History: On Sept. 5, 2018 the inaugural class is inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame…the inductees include Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Rickey Henderson, Catfish Hunter & Reggie Jackson, as well as Dave Stewart & Charlie Finley.
— Mike Selleck (@MikeSelleck) September 5, 2024
Allen and Bosso get PCL POTM honors.
SS Nick Allen & LHP Brady Basso have been named the Pacific Coast League Player & Pitcher of the Month for August. Allen slashed .385/.477/.659 with 10 doubles for the month. Basso went 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA & a 0.87 WHIP & K’d 27 in 25 1/3 IP for Las Vegas.
— Athletics Farm (@AthleticsFarm) September 5, 2024
Rockhounds are playoff bound.
TICKET PUNCHED ️
The Midland RockHounds have clinched a spot in the 2024 Texas League Playoffs!!#OurTownOurTeam | @MiLB pic.twitter.com/05zWV40qIN
— Midland RockHounds (@RockHounds) September 6, 2024