Even a win today would not make today a win
Things were almost starting to look better. The Oakland A’s pulled off a comeback walk-off win on Wednesday! But on Thursday we found out beloved broadcaster Ray Fosse is stepping away from the booth due to cancer, and on Friday we found out star player Ramon Laureano got suspended 80 games for PEDs. Those are two very different pieces of news, but both are heartbreaking in their respective contexts.
But the show must go on. The A’s still have 53 games left this season, beginning Friday night when they host the Texas Rangers at the Coliseum.
The Rangers traded All-Star slugger Joey Gallo to the Yankees at the trade deadline, so the Texas lineup is without its previously biggest bopper. However, they do still have former A’s prospect Jonah Heim, and Heim has hit two walk-off homers in the past week. Good news, by rule he definitely can’t hit another walk-off tonight!
Oakland called up Seth Brown to replace Laureano on the roster, and super-sub Josh Harrison is playing the outfield tonight.
A’s lineup (home)
- RF Mark Canha (R)
- CF Starling Marte (R)
- 1B Matt Olson (L)
- 2B Jed Lowrie (S)
- C Sean Murphy (R)
- DH Mitch Moreland (L)
- LF Josh Harrison (R)
- 3B Matt Chapman (R)
- SS Elvis Andrus (R)
- RHP Chris Bassitt
Moreland last played on July 31.
Rangers lineup (away)
- SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R)
- LF Jason Martin (L)
- DH Adolis Garcia (R)
- 1B Nate Lowe (L)
- C Jonah Heim (S)
- CF DJ Peters (R)
- 3B Brock Holt (L)
- DH Curtis Terry (R)
- 2B Yonny Hernandez (S)
- RHP Mike Foltynewicz (R)
Let’s go Oakland!
How To Watch
- Date: Friday, August 6
- Time: 6:40 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