Rays at Athletics, 5:09 PM PDT, TV: ESPN
RHP Charlie Morton starts for the Rays. A former Astro, he was the starter in Game Four of the ALCS last year against the Red Sox and was last seen by the Dodgers closing out Game Seven in the 2017 World Series. Morton had a 0.68 ERA against the As this season and his ERA against them is 2.97 lifetime. His Athletics opposite number will be LHP Sean Manaea, who’s been hot for a month after coming back from shoulder surgery; he went 4-0 with a 1.21 ERA in September. He’s 1-1 with a career 2.70 ERA against the Rays.
Have some managerial rumors to chew on while watching this game.
Lineups when available.
Rays:
The nine. Let's ride. https://t.co/Xv0uFKwgLh#StayHungry pic.twitter.com/JXWLe2p6hf
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 2, 2019
Athletics:
Wildin'#BASHletics pic.twitter.com/P2GgaeqFQS
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) October 2, 2019
NPUT
We have a lineup. https://twitter.com/jphoornstra/status/1179856290958331904?s=20
Roster announced:
Pitchers: (12)
Walker Buehler
Clayton Kershaw
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Rich Hill
Kenley Jansen
Pedro Baez
Julio Urias
Kenta Maeda
Joe Kelly
Ross Stripling
Dustin May
Adam Kolarek
Position Players (13)
A.J. Pollock
Corey Seager
Max Muncy
Cody Bellinger
Justin Turner
Matt Beaty
David Freese
Chris Taylor
Gavin Lux
Will Smith
Joc Pederson
Enrique Hernandez
Russell Martin
Can’t really argue the choices (much), but I am surprised that Sadler didn’t make the cut.
Let’s go! I wonder if the Rays might give the Astros some problems. More than the A’s that’s for sure.
Okay – so I hadn’t read all the comments when I posted. Didn’t realize that many were pulling for A’s.
And to be honest – when I said “more than the A’s” – I meant because the A’s are now eliminated. Obviously that would not be clearly understood!
The A’s gave the Minute Maids lotsa trouble, but the Devil Rays probably have better pitching than Oakland. I’m disappointed because no team should have to play any games in Tampa, but I’m still hoping for that 1965 rematch.
Ouch. Miserable at bat to end it all for Oakland.
Davis is really struggling. He deserves a hit.
Halfway thru and a 5-1 lead for the Rays. 50 thousand anguished fans in Oakland.
Just saw on Twitter that ESPN 2 has the Statcast version of this game. Numbers and explanations, apparently. I think I’ll take a look.
I just switched. Thanks. No more listening to ARod.
I’m rooting for Oakland. They’ve given Houston trouble.
So am I, though the hometown doesn’t figure into it all that much. I don’t think mild card teams belong in the post-season, but A’s have lots of interesting players and Devil Rays have baseball’s worst stadium. In the Series, I’d like to see a 1965 rematch (with Dodgers winning again).
I hope I didn’t jinx them… (Magical thinking strikes again.)
Well, you came through on Hader last night.
Gonna take a miracle.
All the owners voted for it, except Dubya.
Probably the only thing I’d agree with Shrub on. Second-place teams should be willing and able to say “We weren’t quite good enough, and we’ll try to be better next year.”
I just noticed tonight’s game is an ESPN blackout.
NLDS News: https://twitter.com/DodgerInsider/status/1179514800641986560
Good move I think, especially if it’s followed by Ryu and then Kershaw
They want Ryu to pitch at home. Kershaw’s equally good in either setting, but Ryu’s been far better at home, thus probably Kershaw in DC for Game Three.
And with Hill going as long as he can in game 4, I think things are set up nicely for us
Mmmm, food trucks.
https://twitter.com/Athletics/status/1179482453574115328
Hoornstra goes grandular and matchups in predicting Dodger 12-man pen for NLDS. Goes with Gonsolin and Ferguson. Chicken and May out. http://enews.newsletters.ocregister.com/q/p_On8qJKx0fWQrbQin7gz8ko2qt7H4ehtxKhDfWJ6z_UrXaQPFfW2-GSL
I’ll be surprised if May doesn’t make it.
I’d be surprised if Stripling doesn’t make it, and I’d probably take Gonsolin over either of Ferguson or May.