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The Athletics have had a rough start to spring training, going 1-6 in their first seven preseason games. However, a new month means a fresh start and a sign that the start of the regular season is inching closer. With the calendar shifting to March, it is time for the A’s to start playing better in preparation for Opening Day at the end of this month against the defending American League champion Toronto Blue Jays.
Right-hander J.T. Ginn will be making the start for the A’s this afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds. Ginn pitched well against the San Francisco Giants a few days ago in his spring debut, racking up three strikeouts over two perfect innings. The focus will be on Ginn today to see if he can follow up that performance with another strong outing, one that will likely last longer as the A’s evaluate whether the best place for him is in the starting rotation or the bullpen. Ginn should be on the A’s roster to begin the season in some capacity as he is proficient at inducing groundouts, something A’s pitchers need to induce more often in year two of the team’s temporary residence at Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park.
The A’s lineup this afternoon shakes out like this:
For the second day in a row, Nick Kurtz is batting behind Jacob Wilson atop the lineup, an alignment that should carry over into the regular season. If Kurtz homers with Wilson—or another leadoff hitter—on base, that’s two runs on the scoreboard. In general, it’s a sound strategy to place a power threat behind a high-contact hitter who consistently gets on base.
Both of the team’s catchers are in this afternoon’s lineup as is third baseman Max Muncy, who is off to a hot start this spring with four hits in ten at bats. Muncy can put some ground between him and the other third base competitors with another strong performance today. Lastly, today’s outfield starters are all prospects. Henry Bolte and Junior Perez are getting extended looks early this spring, yet both have struggled so far.
The Reds have Andrew Abbot, one of the best left-handed pitchers in the National League, lined up for his second spring start this afternoon. Here is how Cincinnati lines up behind him:
The Reds have several regulars in their starting lineup, so it should be another good test for Ginn and the pitchers lined up to follow him out of the A’s bullpen. JJ Bleday has gotten off to a strong start this spring, but can he keep it going against his former team?
What better way to start a new month than with an A’s win. Let’s go A’s!