/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/40524158/455283784.0.jpg)
We know the teams, we know the pitching matchup, we know the rosters, now we know the starting lineup for tonight's game.
#Royals lineup vs. Lester & Oakland pic.twitter.com/HnMVUcOs9X
— Josh Vernier (@JoshVernier610) September 30, 2014
Here's how the A's lineup:
CF Coco Crisp (S)
LF Sam Fuld (L)
3B Josh Donaldson
DH Brandon Moss (L)
RF Josh Reddick (L)
SS Jed Lowrie (S)
1B Stephen Vogt (L)
C Geovany Soto
2B Eric Sogard (L)
Interesting they are sitting slugger Adam Dunn. Sam Fuld gets the start in left-field and Brandon Moss replaces Dunn at DH, perhaps with the A's looking to improve their defense in what should be a low-scoring game. Geovany Soto gets the start at catcher as Derek Norris struggles with a sore shoulder, and Norris has had issues throwing out runners this year. Stephen Vogt is hitting .100/.211/.100 in 50 plate appearances since August 25, so its interesting they're trying to get his bat in the lineup against James Shields.
The Royals go with pretty much their regular starting lineup the last few weeks:
SS Alcides Esocbar
RF Nori Aoki (L)
CF Lorenzo Cain
1B Eric Hosmer (L)
DH Billy Butler
LF Alex Gordon (L)
C Salvador Perez
2B Omar Infante
3B Mike Moustakas (L)
Moose gets the start against the left-handed Jon Lester because Ned says Moose has been swinging the bat better against lefties.
In the last 28 days, Moustakas is hitting just .234/.277/.286. Can't imagine he is hitting LHPs any better.
— Joshua Ward (@JoshuaKWard) September 30, 2014
Okay, whatever.
We're five hours from game time. I can barely sit still. I can't imagine what the guys in that clubhouse are thinking.