A’s Look To Continue Hot Streak Against Boston

The Oakland Athletics (73-57) are red hot.  The Boston Red Sox (62-70) are not.  In August, the Athletics are 17-10, they are tied for 3rd in the A.L. with a 3.43 team ERA, first in saves with 11, tied for second in doubles with 56, tied for second in extra base hits with 96, and are tied for first in walks with 86.  The A’s are currently on a 6-game winning streak and have won 12 of their last 14 games.  As for the Red Sox, they are on a 3-game losing streak and have lost 8 of their last 11 games.  The Oakland Athletics will be sending Brandon McCarthy to the mound as the A’s will try and win their seventh consecutive game.

As the Athletics will try to win their seventh game in a row, Brandon McCarthy will be shooting for his 8th win of the season.  Since returning from the disabled list on August 10th, McCarthy has only won a single game despite pitching quite well.  After McCarthy was knocked around against the Twins in his third start since returning to the rotation, he managed to rebound in his next start against the Rays and win his first game in four starts.  McCarthy, who is 7-5 on the season with a 3.12 ERA, will try and get the A’s on the right track in game one of the 3-game series.

The Boston Red Sox will be sending sinkerball pitcher Aaron Cook to the mound for the first game of the series.  Cook has been anything but superb this season and has a 1-3 record during the month of August, which is very good news for the A’s.  On the season, Aaron Cook is 3-7 with a 4.76 ERA.  He will try and end the month of August on a good note but the Athletics will do all they can to prevent that.

DownSide: A’s starting catcher, Derek Norris, is hitting a dismal .200  in 20 games during the month of August.  Cliff Pennington, who has been platooning at second base since the A’s acquired shortstop Stephen Drew, continues to struggle and is only hitting .204 in 16 games during the month of August.

UpSide:  Josh Donaldson has emerged as one of the A’s best hitters since being called up when Brandon Inge was placed on the disabled list.  In 16 games, he is hitting .350, has 21 hits, and has scored seven runs while slamming nine extra base hits.  Josh Reddick has also found his stroke as of late which is a very good sign for him and the Oakland Athletics.

Probable Starters

Saturday, Sept. 1st, 6:05 PM

Felix Doubront (10-6, 4.79 ERA) vs A.J. Griffin (3-0, 2.42 ERA)

Sunday, Sept. 2nd, 1:05 PM

Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-3, 5.10 ERA) vs Brett Anderson (2-0, 0.64 ERA)