A’s Look To Right Ship Against First Place Red Sox

The Athletics are no longer in first place after getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays. It was not a series that A’s fans expected to see with the A’s coming off of a sweep of the Houston Astros. Offense was scarce when it mattered most and the pitching was not Athletic-like whatsoever. The A’s pitching staff gave up 17 runs in the three games and the offense was a combined 3-25 with RISP–not a good recipe for winning.

April 04, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher

(64) pitches the ball against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The green and gold are making its one and only trip to Boston to take on the Sox. Boston has been doing very well this season as they find themselves in first place in the always competitive AL East.

In game one of the series, the A’s will send A.J. Griffin to hill hoping he can get the team its first win since Wednesday. Griffin has been a workhorse this season, pitching a team leading 20 innings in his first three starts of the season. He is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA and  13 strikeouts.

On the mound for the Boston Red Sox will be the lefty, Felix Doubront. He is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA and 13 strikeouts. Doubront has only pitched five innings in each of his two starts and has given up a whopping 13 hits.

Considering the pitching match-ups in game one of the series, it should be a perfect time for the A’s to get a win and get back on track. Griffin has been very consistent this season and the A’s need to put pressure on Doubront early. If the Athletics can get into the Red Sox bullpen early, it would not only mean the A’s offense is doing well, but it would also help them out for the rest of the series.

DownSide: The A’s pitching staff has given up 17 runs over the passed three games.

UpSide: A.J. Griffin has pitched tremendously this season and he is the perfect guy to have on the mound for game one of the three-game series.

FanSide: Lets go Oakland!

Probable Starters

Tuesday, April 23, 3:35 PM PDT

Bartolo Colon (2-0, 3.32 ERA) vs. Alfredo Aceves (1-0, 6.28 ERA)

Wednesday, April 24, 1:05 PM PDT

Brett Anderson (1-3, 5.95) vs. Jon Lester (3-0, 1.73 ERA)