Last night, the Athletics opened this week’s six-game road trip with a 2–1 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The newly crowned May American League Player of the Month Nick Kurtz and starting pitcher Gage Jump played key roles in the victory.
Tonight, the A’s will look to make it two straight wins at “The Friendly Confines”. Left-hander Jeffrey Springs is set to make his 13th start of the season. The 33-year-old enters the outing with a 3-6 record, a 4.07 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and 57 strikeouts over 66 1/3 innings pitched. Springs took the loss in his most recent start against the Seattle Mariners, allowing five runs—though only two were earned—on six hits over five innings of work. Over his last seven starts, Springs is 0-5 with a 4.66 ERA. The veteran southpaw hopes to earn his first win since April 14 against a Chicago club he has faced only four times in his career, posting a 5.68 ERA in those appearances, including one start.
Here’s how the Athletics’ lineup looks for the second game in Chicago:
Several regulars comprise this evening’s A’s starting nine. Carlos Cortes is once again batting leadoff and playing right field. Henry Bolte started in center field yesterday, but today he will give way to slumping Lawrence Butler, who is surprisingly batting sixth in the order.
The A’s need Butler and designated hitter Brent Rooker to come through, as their spots in the lineup make them likely to bat with runners in scoring position. At the bottom of the lineup, offensively challenged shortstop Alika Williams will make his third start with the Athletics. For the visitors to win tonight, they will need Williams and eighth-place hitter second baseman Jeff McNeil to avoid being automatic outs at the plate.
These A’s hitters will face Cubs right-hander Colin Rea, who will make his 13th appearance and 10th start of the season. He enters with a 5-3 record, a 4.70 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 59 1/3 innings pitched. Rea has put together back-to-back quality starts entering Wednesday’s contest. In his previous outing, he nabbed the win after holding the Pittsburgh Pirates to two runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings. He’s pitched twice against the A’s, one start and one relief appearance spanning nine innings and allowing four runs. Hopefully, the A’s offense can capitalize on Rea’s mistakes and give Springs the run support he needs to work his magic.
And Chicago’s starting lineup tonight:
Springs and the A’s bullpen will try to silence the Cubs’ offense for a second straight night. However, that will be easier said than done, as Chicago features multiple talented hitters capable of breaking through at any moment.
An A’s win would lock up the series and prevent a rubber game tomorrow. Let’s go A’s!
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