(Photo: Kwong Yee Cheng/Flickr)
This will probably be the hardest series for the A’s thus far, Tampa Bay Rays (17-8) have won 9 of their last 10 games and the series will begin with Oakland facing one of the best left-handed pitchers in the league. This 3-game series is the last one before the A’s head home to start a 6-game home stand, so here’s hoping they end on a high note.
Friday 4:10 PM PST: (RHP) Tyson Ross (1-1) Vs (LHP) David Price (4-1)
- Tyson Ross got knocked around by the Baltimore Orioles in his last start, he allowed 11 hits, 9 earned runs, walked 1 and struck out 1 over 4 innings.
- Not surprisingly, David Price is off to a strong start this season. His last start was against the offensive juggernauts that are called the Texas Rangers, he was able to hold them to 6 hits, 2 runs over 6.1 innings of work which lead to him collecting his 4th win of the season.
Saturday 4:10 PM PST: (RHP) Bartolo Colon (3-2) Vs (RHP) Jeremy Hellickson (3-0)
- In his last start Bartolo Colon had another strong outing for the A’s. He pitched 8.1 innings against the Baltimore Orioles, allowed 7 hits, 2 earned runs (which came in the 9th inning), walked 1, and struck out 5.
- Despite his effective outing against the Seattle Mariners in his last start, Hellickson was handed a no decision. He pitched 7 innings. allowed 6 hits, only 1 earned run, struck out 7, and walked none. In his first 5 games, he has yet to take a loss this season.
Sunday 10:40 AM PST: (LHP) Tom Milone (3-2) Vs (LHP) Matt Moore (1-1)
- Tom Milone had his shortest outing of the season against the Boston Red Sox in his last start. He only lasted 4.2 innings, allowed 8 hits, 7 earned runs, struck out 5, and walked 1.
- Matt Moore collected his first win of the season in his last start against the Seattle Mariners. He pitched 5 innings, allowed 7 hits, 1 earned run, walked 1, and struck out 7.
Keys To Success
Tyson Ross and Tom Milone must bounce back from their last starts for the A’s to have a chance against the Rays talented staff.
The A’s offense finally showed in Boston and in order for the A’s to beat the Ray’s stellar pitchers they are going to have to continue to hit like they did at Fenway.
In Case you Missed it:
- Coco Crisp is expected to land on the DL due to the nagging ear infection that has sat him out several times over the past week and a half. Michael Taylor is making his way to Tampa Bay to replace the left fielder.
- Kurt Suzuki, who was hit on the hand by a pitch yesterday, is scheduled to have an X-ray on it today.
For more on the Tampa Bay Rays please visit Cowbell Clankers.
