Game Thread #146: A’s at Royals

Rubber match!

The Oakland A’s snapped their losing streak Wednesday night, and now they have the chance to win a series on the road. So far they’ve split their first two games against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, and Thursday brings the finale.

The A’s have Paul Blackburn pitching. The right-hander got a quick hook in each of his last two starts, giving up four runs both times. Blackburn allows lots of contact, and the Royals make lots of contact, so expect lots of contact.

For Kansas City it’ll be Daniel Lynch. The lefty was a 1st-round draft pick in 2018, and he made his MLB debut this May. In a dozen starts so far, he’s got a 5.37 ERA with mediocre rates of strikeouts, walks, and homers.

Oakland’s lineup is missing third baseman Matt Chapman again, for the third straight game. His left foot is still not quite recovered after fouling a ball off himself on Saturday. More details, per Matt Kawahara of the S.F. Chronicle:

With Matt Chapman: “There’s a couple different spots which is making his foot kind of lock up to where he doesn’t move very well,” Bob Melvin said. Melvin reiterated any type of fracture has been ruled out and said he’s hopeful Chapman might be available in Anaheim.

This has been a high-scoring series so far. Last night the two teams combined for 22 runs on 35 hits, including 30 singles. Add in Tuesday’s game, and the series totals go up to 39 runs on 57 hits.

A’s lineup (away)

1. 3B Josh Harrison (R)
2. CF Starling Marte (R)
3. 1B Matt Olson (L)
4. LF Mark Canha (R)
5. DH Khris Davis (R)
6. RF Chad Pinder (R)
7. C Sean Murphy (R)
8. SS Elvis Andrus (R)
9. 2B Tony Kemp (L)

• RHP Paul Blackburn

Davis gets another start! He had a pinch-hit RBI single yesterday.

Royals lineup (home)

1. 2B Whit Merrifield (R)
2. SS Nicky Lopez (L)
3. DH Salvador Perez (R)
4. LF Andrew Benintendi (L)
5. 3B Adalberto Mondesi (S)
6. 1B Ryan O’Hearn (L)
7. RF Hunter Dozier (R)
8. CF Kyle Isbel (L)
9. C Sebastian Rivero (R)

• LHP Daniel Lynch

Let’s go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Thursday, September 16
• Time: 11:10 a.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