Future Mike note: Do you how awkward it is to write an entire post and not be able to refer to the team by their location? Well now I do!
That construction equipment in the main picture for the A’s “groundbreaking” in Las Vegas? It was rented for the photo op. Not for, say, breaking ground.
The Arizona Diamondbacks were kind enough to send not one but two starting pitchers against the Red Sox over the weekend who had ERAs greater than five. The Athletics have chosen to be less kind, especially starting out. However since that didn’t help the run scoring in Phoenix maybe it won’t matter.
We’ve seen Payton Tolle have one strong start and one struggle of a start. Rookie Luis Morales has — so far — known only success. In six appearances (five starts) he has a 1.59. ERA / 3.10 FIP and 30 strikeouts in 28.1 innings. He’s also walked 11. But with just 5 runs allowed so far has been, essentially, cruising. Which is not what most rookies do. Let’s hope the Red Sox can figure him out. Surely hitting coach Pete Fatse spent the weekend planning for this. Garrett Crochet meanwhile is coming off one of the worst starts of his career.
Jeffery Springs, who was traded by the Red Sox for Nick Sogard in 2021 is a lefty having, well, technically, the second most valuable year of his career — which is to say he’s healthy and starting games. The strikeouts have fallen off a bit this year to the lowest level of his career, about 7.2/9 innings. If Rob Refsnyder is OK hopefully he is leading the charge to hit Springs hard.
Mason Barnett is another rookie starter. Right handed. He’s made two major league starts. He allowed five runs and four runs in those starts. He struck out one and then struck out eight. He walked zer and then he walked five. He’s faced the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels. This is the getaway day game, and he’s a rookie, so anything could happen. Watch this be a 95-minute shutout by Barnett and, unlikely but possible, Tolle.
Who starts on Wednesday? Tolle? The bullpen? It might depend on how the first two games go.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Monday, September 8: Garrett Crochet (2.67 ERA / 2.91 FIP) vs. Luis Morales (1.59 ERA / 3.10 FIP)
Tuesday, September 9: Dustin May (4.96 ERA / 5.40 FIP) vs. Jeffrey Springs (4.13 ERA / 4.68 FIP)
Wednesday, September 10: TBD (— ERA / — FIP) vs. Mason Barnett (9.00 ERA / 4.58 FIP)
Monday September 8: 10:05 PM ET on NESN
Tuesday September 9: 10:05 PM ET on NESN
Wednesday, September 10: 3:35 PM ET on NESN
