Yunior Tur’s MLB debut was a complete nightmare, giving up a ridiculous 14 runs in his first 2 2/3 innings, and that’s why the Athletics just sent him packing to Triple-A. The A’s, already struggling on a weeklong road trip after losing two of three to the Arizona Diamondbacks, made the move before today’s game against the Minnesota Twins, a team 4 1/2 games back of the AL Central lead.
The Bullpen’s Latest Disaster And A Former Prospect’s Last Stand
Luis Morales, the guy replacing Tur, has been one of the A’s biggest disappointments all season. This dude, a former top prospect, is struggling in both the big leagues and the minors. With the A’s already out of contention, getting Morales back on track isn’t just a hopeful thought, it’d be a big boost for a pitching staff that’s clearly hit a wall.
Can Lopez Step Up For A Beleaguered Staff?
Tonight, the Athletics are throwing left-hander Jacob Lopez out there to kick off this series in the Twin Cities. The 28-year-old is making his 13th start with a 4-4 record, but his 6.64 ERA and 1.73 WHIP over 59 2/3 innings scream trouble. He did make a “successful return” in his last outing, allowing only two runs on two hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings against the Nationals, but his pitch count was limited coming back from Triple-A. Here’s the kicker: the A’s desperately need more length from him tonight because their bullpen is, well, *beleaguered*. A quality start against a Twins lineup that’s scored the seventh-most runs in the league would be an absolute godsend. He’s up against Minnesota’s third-year righty Zebby Matthews. The 26-year-old has a 4-7 record with a 5.40 ERA over 70 innings, and he’s coming off a *rough* one against the Cubs, giving up eight runs on nine hits in three innings. Matthews beat the A’s last year, but he’s in “poor form” right now. This is a chance for the A’s.
Can The Injury-Depleted Lineup Capitalize?
The Athletics’ “injury-depleted” offense has to jump on any mistake pitches Matthews leaves over the plate. Jacob Wilson at short and Tommy White at third have been performing strong on this road trip, and they’ll need to keep it up. But the real spark has to come from the bottom of the order, with struggling right fielder Lawrence Butler and center fielder Henry Bolte needing to get something going. Meanwhile, Lopez has to navigate a Twins lineup led by center fielder Byron Buxton, one of the best in the sport, and also watch out for “well-traveled designated hitter Josh Bell.”
What’s at stake for the A’s? Tonight’s Game #103 kicks off a three-game series against a Twins squad that’s trying to hang in the AL Wild Card race, just 2 1/2 games out. For the A’s, who are already out of contention, it’s about finding *any* kind of consistency, especially with their pitching, and seeing if these young bats can make some noise.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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