First Pitch: 9:05pm CDT
TV: FSN (and in HD, too, if you're lucky and Comcast deigns to broadcast in HD)
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Athletics Nation
About the A's: WE'RE GOING STREAKING!
They may be last in the AL West, but Oakland's on a hot streak. The A's have won six in a row, and swept the odious Orioles under the rug over the weekend, their first three-game sweep of the year.
Probable Pitchers
Tonight, the next edition of everyone's favorite new show, "Swarzak or No Swarzak"? The big 23-year-old righty began his major-league career with a pair of quality starts, winning one and losing one, and the world rejoiced. He pitches inside! He rares back and lets 'er fly! He's a gamer! He gave up just three earned runs in those two starts, but just as we all were ready to send Francisco Liriano to carry Swarzak's bags around for the rest of the year, the youngster came back down to earth a bit. The Indians torched him for a five-run third inning, with the entire offense - hits, runs, screaming, wailing, gnashing of teeth - coming with two out in the inning. Swarzak eventually departed after giving up six runs in four innings. We'll have another chance to see whether Swarzak is the real deal tonight.
Two things are immediately apparent about Outman:
- He has the greatest name for a pitcher in baseball history. I have high hopes for Emilio Whiff, who was in the Venezuelan league last year, and for Rich Highhardcheese, who I think is in the Dodgers' system, but until either comes through it's Outman's title to lose.
- You've never heard of him. He was a September callup for the A's last year, made the rotation to start this year, got demoted almost immediately, then worked his way back into his starting slot - and has pitched pretty well since. Since returning to the rotation May 3, he's 3-0 with a 2.49 ERA, and opposing hitters are batting just .192 against him, with a Punto-like .582 OPS..
Outman throws a 94-95mph four-seam fastball that will occasionally inch into the 96-97 range. He'll mix in a two-seamer and a changeup, along with a slider and a very occasional curve.
Lineups
Delmon Young is the designated hitter. Words... fail me.