The Oakland Athletics are back in West Sacramento to commence a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This follows an unconventional 'homestand' in Las Vegas, where the team played six games, winning four. Despite a significant loss against the Colorado Rockies, the Athletics are looking to maintain momentum as they bring their pitcher, J.T. Ginn, to the mound. The Pirates, currently experiencing a challenging period with seven losses in their last nine outings, are hoping to reverse their fortunes with pitcher Jared Jones.
Athletics Eyeing Continued Success with Ginn on the Mound
The Oakland Athletics are preparing for a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates in West Sacramento, following an unusual six-game stretch in Las Vegas. During their time in Las Vegas, which included games against both the Brewers and the Rockies, the Athletics managed to secure four victories. This performance has instilled confidence as they return to their current home base. Despite a recent significant loss where their pitching staff struggled, the team remains positive, particularly with J.T. Ginn, considered one of their top pitchers, scheduled to start the series opener. Ginn, coming off a win against the Brewers, will be crucial for the Athletics to maintain their winning trajectory.
J.T. Ginn, with a season record of 4-3 and an ERA of 3.15, is slated to start for the Athletics. His recent outing against the Brewers, though not his most dominant, resulted in a 7-5 victory, marking their first win in Las Vegas. Manager Mark Kotsay acknowledged the challenges posed by the thin-air conditions in Las Vegas but praised Ginn's resilience, stating he "grinded and gave us what we needed." Ginn's performance has been a consistent highlight, boasting a 1.49 ERA over his last six starts. The 27-year-old right-hander has a career record of 9-11 with a 4.23 ERA across 46 games, including 34 starts, and is yet to face the Pittsburgh Pirates in his career. The Athletics' hitters have also shown promise, with Tyler Soderstrom extending his on-base streak to 21 games, including his 12th home run in their last game, providing a strong offensive complement to Ginn's pitching.
Pirates' Struggles and Strategic Pitching Rotation
The Pittsburgh Pirates are entering their series against the Athletics on a downward spiral, having dropped seven of their last nine games, including two of three in their recent series against the Miami Marlins. Their ace, Paul Skenes, delivered a strong performance with 10 strikeouts in his last start, but the offense failed to capitalize, resulting in a 4-2 loss. This continued trend has seen the Pirates lose six consecutive games started by Skenes, highlighting a critical issue with their team's overall performance. Manager Don Kelly acknowledged the team's inability to put together a "complete game" when Skenes pitches, indicating that the struggles are not solely on the mound but across the entire squad.
To counter their recent slump, the Pirates plan to start right-hander Jared Jones, who holds a 1-0 record with a 4.73 ERA. Manager Don Kelly has strategically placed Jones in the rotation between their top starters, Skenes and Mitch Keller, to optimize their pitching resources. This move aims to leverage Skenes and Keller's ability to pitch deep into games, thereby providing a fresher bullpen when Jones starts. Kelly noted that Jones, having made three starts this season and pitching a total of 13 1/3 innings, will have his workload managed carefully. He emphasized the rationale behind this placement, stating, "To have him in between Paul and Mitch just made a lot of sense to us, as far as managing innings, having two innings-eaters on either side of him." Jones, with a career record of 7-8 in 25 starts, will be facing the Athletics for the first time, making his performance a key factor in the Pirates' attempt to regain winning form.