Mariners vs. A’s game thread

Rubber matches have not treated the A’s kindly as of late

For the fourth time in as many series, the A’s will head into the rubber match looking to take the win. They’re 0-3 in that span and haven’t won a series in exactly two weeks. Today, those fortunes can change against the first-place Seattle Mariners as the two teams will line it up for a third and final time this afternoon.

Last night, the story of the A’s 2-1 victory was pitching as Joey Estes paced Seattle’s Logan Gilbert for 6.1 innings strong while allowing just a hit and flirting with perfection. Today, Mark Kotsay hands the ball off to JP Sears in hopes of continuing that pitching promise.

Sears has given the A’s 6+ strong in each of his last two outings against a pair of the leagues best offenses in the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. Last start on Friday in Georgia saw the southpaw go 7 innings while allowing four earned and striking out five but Sears was credited with the loss as the A’s put up just two runs.

Thankfully for Sears and the A’s, he throws much better on paper at home too. At the Coliseum he’s 3-1 surrendering just ten runs and two big flies in 26.2 innings. On the road, Sears ERA is a full tick higher.

Here’s the A’s lineup behind Sears at home this afternoon:

Opposing Sears is Bryan Woo, a 24-year-old hurler originally from Oakland in his first full big league season. The Mariners have produced some wicked starting pitchers these last few years and Woo appears to be next. The former top-rated prospect has lived up to all the hype pitching to a 1.30 ERA over five starts.

Woo’s been the definition of consistent going 5+ in 4/5 outings while never allowing more than three runs. His season started about a month late due to right elbow inflation but Woo’s showed no signs of weakness or setbacks thus far since returning.

Below is the Mariners lineup behind Woo which ranks 29th in baseball in batting average at .222 (one point worse than the A’s) and 26th in OPS at .661. Seattle still finds themselves magically seven games over .500 and in first-place thanks to the aforementioned pitching but if they can just hit at a league average rate they’d pose a really serious threat for the American League.

Let’s win us a series, shall we?

See you all very soon!