Tonight, the Athletics will look to snap their three-game losing streak as they take on the San Francisco Giants in the middle game of this three-game interleague series. Last night, the A’s offense struggled against Giants starter Robbie Ray, who tossed eight innings of one-run ball. As a result, the “Green and Gold” need to get a win this evening, or they could be at risk of being swept tomorrow afternoon.
Athletics rookie left-hander Gage Jump will make his sixth MLB start and first against the Giants. The top-100 prospect has lived up to the billing through his first few big-league outings. Jump has posted a 3-1 record, a 2.37 ERA, an impressive 0.99 WHIP and 26 strikeouts across his initial 30 1/3 MLB innings. The 23-year-old is coming off his best start with the A’s, earning the win after pitching seven shutout innings against the Los Angeles Angels.
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With a pitcher-friendly ballpark and a Giants offense that has scored the fourth-fewest runs in the league working in his favor, Jump appears well-positioned to cap off an impressive first month in the majors with another quality start.
The southpaw, who has experienced a meteoritic rise since being drafted by the A’s out of Louisiana State University in 2024, has a chance to become the franchise’s best left-handed starter developed from within since Barry Zito and Mark Mulder anchored the team’s rotation in the early 200os.
Here’s the A’s lineup for this matchup:
Starting at the top, it is important to note that resurgent infielder Zack Gelof is not in today’s lineup in the wake of exiting Tuesday’s game with a minor hand injury. Hopefully he will return to the starting nine tomorrow; otherwise, he could make his return Friday night in Anaheim.
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Center fielder Henry Bolte takes Gelof’s place in the leadoff spot. It will be the speedy Bolte’s job to get on base and set the table for slugging first baseman Nick Kurtz and catcher Shea Langeliers. Joey Meneses’ audition continues as he starts at designated hitter for a third consecutive game, while Lawrence Butler returns to right field after drawing a walk as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of the team’s series-opening loss.
Last but not least is Jeff McNeil, who will get the start at second base. Yesterday, he entered the game in the second inning as a defensive replacement for Gelof and went on to play the remainder of the contest.
The A’s offense will look to have more success against Giants right-hander Tyler Mahle, who enters his 12th start of the season with a 1-7 record, a 6.04 ERA, a 1.54 WHIP and 57 strikeouts across 56 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old returns after missing a month with a left hamstring strain in his first season with San Francisco.
Mahle’s Giants tenure has not gone well so far. He took the loss against the A’s in West Sacramento on May 15, allowing five runs on ten hits over five innings. While there is a possibility he used his time on the injured list to rediscover his form, the A’s appear to hold the pitching advantage in this matchup.
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Therefore, it will be up to the likes of Kurtz, Butler and the rest of the A’s hitters to produce runs in support of Jump. Last night, the A’s struggled to work counts, something they will need to improve against a pitcher who may be rusty after last pitching in the majors in May. In addition, they must make Mahle and the Giants bullpen pay for any pitches left over the middle of the plate.
And the Giants lineup:
Like the A’s, the Giants will be without second baseman Luis Arraez, who left the series opener after fouling a ball off his right foot. San Francisco’s lineup is top heavy, with its five best hitters occupying the top five spots in the order. At the bottom are multiple young players, including former A’s draft pick Jonah Cox, who was dealt to the Giants in a trade for Ross Stripling a couple of years ago.
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Let’s go A’s! Time to snap the skid.
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Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA
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Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, A’s Cast
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