A’s vs. Royals game thread

The Oakland Athletics’ 2024 season is back on track! Okay, not really. The A’s are still in the AL West basement and carrying a putrid 28-48 record. However, they’ve not only ended their nine-game losing streak, but they also just won their first series since facing the Colorado Rockies nearly a month ago. And it wasn’t against some pathetic bottom-dwelling team, Oakland has taken the first two games of their series against the 41-34 Kansas City Royals.

Somehow, the A’s now have a chance to sweep KC and go into the weekend on a sudden three-game winning streak. Leading the way will be the ascending Mitch Spence, who carries a strong 3.69 ERA/3.31 FIP since joining the rotation. However, he’ll have some stiff competition in Seth Lugo, who will go into the game with a superior 2.40 ERA/3.43 FIP.

With Abraham Toro still dealing with shoulder soreness, Max Schuemann gets another start in the leadoff spot with Aledmys Diaz filling in at third base.

And here’s the Royals lineup as they try to avoid an embarrassing sweep: