Welcome to Friday everyone!
Yesterday General Manager David Forst spoke on the team before the start of the second half yesterday. The recent losing skid has all but eliminated the A’s from the postseason hunt as they now own the third-worst record in the American League, and he and the front office recognize that:
It’s true. The A’s were looking like they’d be a pest in the playoff race all year before this recent cold spell. Alas, the team has put themselves in a major hole and Forst has watched just like the rest of us. Fangraphs gives the team a 2% chance to make the post season. He sounds like someone who is preparing to be a seller in a couple of weeks. He mentions that it’s technically not too late yet…
… but it’s almost there and anything less than a scorching start to the second half won’t cut it. The next four series are against teams hovering around .500 so the A’s will be facing motivated teams. Will the cold spell follow the squad into the second half?
Forst also said that left-hander Jacob Lopez would be moving back into the starting rotation with Aaron Civale’s departure:
Anyway. The second half begins tonight as they welcome the Washington Nationals to Sacramento for a three-game weekend series. Washington has exceeded expectations through the first half, hovering around .500 and currently just a game under at 48-49. They’re fourth in the tough NL East but that record is still good enough to have them just four games out of the third and final Wild Card spot in the NL.
The problem for them is they have five teams to jump if they want to make a playoff push. Ending the first half on a three-game losing streak wasn’t helpful for them. These next couple of weeks will determine which way Washington goes this trade deadline season. They’re likely leaning towards selling or standing pat but a strong start to their second half could convince them to buy. They’ll have their ace Cade Cavalli going for them tonight to start the series, followed by Zack Littel on Saturday night and Foster Griffin on Sunday in the finale.
Left-hander Gage Jump will get things started for the A’s, getting the ball for tonight’s start. Righty J.T. Ginn will follow, and then we’ll see the return of Lopez to the starting rotation. We should also be seeing a major league debut tonight: infield prospect Tommy White has gotten the call to The Show and will presumably be in the starting lineup at first base in place of the injured Nick Kurtz. We may also see another prospect in reliever Yunior Tur make his big league debut. Let the youth movement begin!
First pitch is at 6:40. Have a great day A’s fans.
A’s Coverage:
MLB News and Interest:
Best of X:
Next year’s schedule is out!
New bullpen coach to replace Hubbs:
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More from Forst:
Read the full article here