The Oakland Athletics entered this three-game series with the Seattle Mariners hoping to work their way back into the AL West playoff picture. With four games at Texas following this series, it was an opportune time to build some positive momentum. Heading into Wednesday’s series finale, the A’s have definitely built up momentum. The problem is that it’s negative momentum as they have lost the first two games, both by the slimmest of margins and now sit eight games back of first.
The A’s send out a fairly similar lineup to what we’ve seen thus far this series. Chris Carter is back hitting in the fifth spot and looking to get his bat going. Josh Willingham is expected to return from the DL fairly soon, possibly as soon as Thursday’s Rangers opener. Carter has strung some hits together, but not necessarily enough to prevent a return to Sacramento. A big game in the Mariners finale could buy him some more time.
Oakland Athletics
1. Jemile Weeks 2B
2. Scott Sizemore 3B
3. Coco Crisp CF
4. Hideki Matsui DH
5. Chris Carter 1B
6. Conor Jackson LF
7. David DeJesus RF
8. Kurt Suzuki C
9. Cliff Pennington SS