Christine: We just watched Zack Gelof launch four home runs in a single inning, only to watch the momentum evaporate into a 2-0 shutout loss on Sunday night. Bryan Woo struck out nine over eight innings, and Cal Raleigh hit back-to-back RBI singles to put the brakes on our season. But here we are again, looking ahead to Tuesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Jason: It is a brutal swing from the high of Saturday’s six-run explosion to the quiet desperation of Sunday’s defeat. Jeffrey Springs had us feeling good with seven scoreless innings on Saturday, but then Ginn gets placed on the 15-day IL with an elbow impingement, and suddenly the rotation looks even thinner. We need to talk about what happens when you lose your rhythm against Seattle and have to turn around immediately for Toronto.
Christine: That is exactly where we are starting tonight. I’m Christine, this is Jason, and you are listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Before we dive into the lineup card, I want to take thirty seconds to ask for your help. Every morning, Jason and I dig through box scores, injury reports, and pitch logs to bring you this preview. A coffee or a small tip keeps the research deep and the editing tight. It literally helps us keep the feed running every single day. If you can chip in, please check the link in the episode description. It means the world to us.
Jason: Appreciate that, Chris. And thanks to everyone who has already supported. It allows us to stay independent and focus entirely on the baseball. So, let’s get into it. Tonight, we’re breaking down the pitching matchup against Toronto, looking at which hitters might step up given the injuries to Shea Langeliers and Lazaro Montes, and figuring out if there is any hope for this bullpen to hold a lead.
Christine: Coming up: Is Jeffrey Springs the right choice to start? How do we replace the offensive spark from Gelof and Muncy? And why the ABS challenge system tracker matters more than you think for this squad. Let’s go to Segment One.
Christine: Okay, so the Athletics are sitting at 57-87, fourth in the AL West. We just got swept by Seattle in a way that feels particularly stinging after beating them on Saturday. The next game is Tuesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays. Who do you think should start for Oakland?
Jason: This is tricky because the roster list shows several starters available: Joey Estes, Gage Jump, Jacob Lopez, and Jeffrey Springs. But look at the recent usage. Springs threw seven shutout innings on Saturday. He was lights out. If he’s healthy, he’s the logical choice to go again. But does the team want to rest him? Or do they throw a lefty like Lopez against Toronto?
Christine: I mean, usually you’d want to give Springs a full rest day after that effort. But if you don’t, you risk tipping his pitches or hurting his arm further, especially with J.T. Ginn already out with an elbow issue. That’s a scary thought for the front office.
Jason: Exactly. And remember, Ginn was placed on the 15-day IL specifically because of an elbow impingement. You don’t want to push Springs too hard if there’s any lingering fatigue. So my guess? They go with Gage Jump or Jacob Lopez. Both are right-handers, but Lopez has been solid in spot starts. Against Toronto, you want someone who can eat innings without relying heavily on velocity.
Christine: Jump has been inconsistent lately. His ERA has climbed. Do you really trust him to keep Toronto off the board? The Blue Jays have some power in their lineup.
Jason: They do. But look at the alternative. If you start Lopez, you’re betting on a lefty specialist approach. Toronto isn’t a heavy lefty-swinging team compared to others. I think they’ll stick with a right-hander to match up against the middle of the order. I’m leaning toward Lopez not because he’s a ace, but because he’s reliable in low-leverage spots. Springs needs that rest.
Christine: Fair point. And if Springs doesn’t start, does that change how you view the bullpen? Because we know the bullpen is stressed. Brady Basso, Elvis Alvarado, Seth Johnson—they’ve all been carrying load.
Jason: Oh, absolutely. If Springs goes six innings, the bullpen has to cover four. If a starter goes five, it’s seven. The margin for error is non-existent. We saw what happened against Seattle—Bryan Woo struck out nine, but once the Mariners broke through with those RBI singles in the fourth, the game slipped away. The A’s couldn’t respond. Now, against Toronto, if the starter struggles early, we could see Hogan Harris or Geoff Hartlieb getting pulled into situations they aren’t built for.
Christine: Right. And with Hoby Milner on bereavement leave and Victor Robles also on bereavement, the clubhouse energy is fragile. It’s not just about baseball skills; it’s about mental toughness. Can this group handle the pressure of a close game against Toronto?
Jason: That’s the million-dollar question. Last Friday, they hit four home runs in the third inning to win 7-6. That showed heart. But Sunday was different. It was a 2-0 loss. No hits, no runs. That kind of silence in the lineup card is demoralizing. If the starter doesn’t provide early support, the bullpen is going to be under immense psychological pressure. I think they’ll try to manage the innings carefully, but one bad inning could blow the whole thing open.
Christine: So, my prediction for the pitcher: Lopez starts, throws six innings, gives up two runs. The bullpen holds it together for three innings, but it’s tight. Let’s move to Segment Two and talk about who is actually hitting.
Jason: Let’s talk offense. With Shea Langeliers on the 10-day IL and Lazaro Montes day-to-day, the catcher spot is wide open. Brian Serven is likely catching. How does that impact the lineup? Serven isn’t a power hitter.
Christine: It definitely changes the dynamic. Langeliers provides that defensive stability and some pop from behind the plate. Without him, you’re relying on Serven to just put the ball in play. But look at the top of the order. Zack Gelof was on fire last week. Four homers in one inning! Max Muncy homered two days in a row. Those guys are hot.
Jason: Gelof and Muncy are the engine. But Gelof hit that tiebreaking triple late in the Friday win. He’s playing with confidence. Muncy’s consistent power is vital. The issue is the middle of the order. Where are you getting production from Denzel Clarke or Lawrence Butler? Butler had that clutch hit against Seattle recently, but Clarke has been quiet.
Christine: Butler is someone we’ve talked about before. Remember, we predicted earlier that Henry Bolte would hit a home run and that Butler would deliver a decisive hit. Well, Bolte didn’t quite get the homer against Seattle, but Butler was part of that offensive surge. He’s still a key piece. But against Toronto, you need depth. Carlos Cortes and Alika Williams are options in the outfield. Are they ready for this moment?
Jason: Cortes and Williams are speed-and-contact guys. They won’t hit many home runs, but they can create chaos on the bases. If Gelof and Muncy get on base, you want runners who can steal second or take an extra base. That puts pressure on the Toronto defense. But if the pitchers are sitting on fastballs, those contact hitters might struggle to drive the ball. It’s a platoon split issue. Toronto’s relievers might favor right-handed batters, which hurts Gelof slightly.
Christine: Wait, Gelof bats left? Yes, he does. So if Toronto brings in a right-handed specialist, that’s a problem. What about Jeff McNeil? He’s batting second. He’s a high-OBP guy. Does he set the table well enough for Gelof?
Jason: McNeil is excellent at getting on base. He doesn’t strike out much. If he leads off or bats second, he’s crucial. He forces the pitcher to throw strikes to Gelof. But if McNeil gets walked, and Gelof pops up, the rally dies. It’s about sequencing. The A’s have the talent to score runs, but they lack the consistency to string multiple hits together. That’s why the 7-6 win felt so special—it was an outlier event. We need to see if they can replicate that explosiveness against a different team.
Christine: And what about the injuries to Brendan Donovan and Brennen Davis? They’re on the 7-day and 60-day ILs respectively. That removes depth. If Muncy gets tired or injured, who steps up? Tommy White is listed as day-to-day. He’s a utility infielder. Can he handle third base regularly?
Jason: White is capable, but he’s not a everyday solution yet. Darell Hernaiz and Alika Williams are the shortstop options. Hernaiz has more experience. But defensively, the infield is shaky. If you’re giving up ground balls, you need Gold Glove caliber defenders. You don’t have that right now. So, offensively, you have to be aggressive. You can’t rely on defense to save you. You have to out-hit Toronto. That’s a tall order when you’re missing your primary power sources like Langeliers.
Christine: So, the takeaway: Gelof and Muncy must carry the load. McNeil must get on base. And the new catchers must defend well. Anything else?
Jason: One more thing: the ABS challenge system tracker. The headlines mention team and player rankings. The A’s are near the bottom in challenges. Why? Because umpires are calling more strikes against them. If Gelof and Muncy are called for strikes on borderline pitches, their OBP drops. That kills rallies. So, patience at the plate is critical. Don’t chase. Wait for the mistake.
Christine: Patience. Good advice. Let’s head to Segment Three for the keys to the series and my bold prediction.
Christine: Okay, Jason. Keys to the series. Number one: Pitching depth. Whoever starts needs to go at least six innings. Number two: Gelof and Muncy produce. Number three: The bullpen avoids mistakes. Simple, right? Wrong. Very wrong.
Jason: Agreed. And number four: Mental resilience. After the emotional toll of the Seattle series and the injuries, can this team stay focused? Toronto is a good team. They’re not rebuilding like us. They’re competitive. If the A’s fall behind early, they tend to collapse. We saw it against Seattle. We need them to fight back.
Christine: So, my bold prediction: The Athletics win this series. Not sweep, but they take two out of three. Why? Because the bullpen will be desperate. And Gelof will have another multi-hit game. What about you?
Jason: I’m going to say... the Athletics lose the opener. I think the starter struggles, the bullpen blows it, and Toronto wins 4-2. But then, the A’s bounce back in Game Two. Lawrence Butler delivers a clutch hit in the late innings, and they win 5-3. So, I predict a split. But honestly, I’m worried about the bullpen. If they can’t close out games, this series could slip away quickly.
Christine: A split sounds realistic. Given the injuries and the fatigue, taking one game is a victory. But winning two would be huge for morale. We’ll see if the A’s can pull it off against the Blue Jays. Thanks for joining us on the Beatline Podcast Network. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Share this with a friend who loves the A’s. Until next time, keep cheering loud!