The Oakland Athletics open a three game series with the New York Mets at Citi Field and will roll out Hideki Matsui in left field. Matsui was signed to be the team’s designated hitter but they want to get his bat into the lineup, particularly with Josh Willingham still nursing his Achilles injury. Matsui made 17 starts in left field last year for the Angels.
The A’s will continue with Jemile Weeks, Cliff Pennington and Coco Crisp at the top of the order. A’s manager Bob Melvin decided on Crisp for the three spot in Willingham’s absence because he wants a lineup regular in that spot. Conor Jackson would seem to be the other option as he has quickly become a regular in the Melvin lineup card. Jackson is getting another start at first base with Daric Barton sitting out his second straight game amidst his continued struggles.
Oakland Athletics
1. Jemile Weeks 2B
2. Cliff Pennington SS
3. Coco Crisp CF
4. Hideki Matsui LF
5. Conor Jackson 1B
6. Ryan Sweeney RF
7. Kurt Suzuki C
8. Scott Sizemore 3B
9. Josh Outman P
New York mets
1. Jose Reyes SS
2. Justin Turner 3B
3. Carlos Beltran RF
4. Daniel Murphy 1B
5. Angel Pagan CF
6. Jason Bay LF
7. Ronny Paulino C
8. Ruben Tejada 2B
9. Dillon Gee P