A’S VS. KANSAS CITY
Friday: Rich Hill (1-1, 3.12) vs, Edinson Volquez (1-0, 1.54), 7:05 p. m. CSNCA
Saturday: Chris Bassitt (0-0, 2.92) vs. Chris Young (0-2, 7.45), 1:05 p.m. CSNCA
Sunday: Sonny Gray (1-1, 2.70) vs. Kris Medlen (1-0, 3.60), 1:05 p.m. CSNCA
A’s update: Following a three-game sweep of the Mariners in Seattle, Oakland came home and lost three straight to the Los Angeles Angels and is now 1-6 at the Coliseum. It’s the A’s worst start at home since 2001, when they lost 9 of their first 10 (yet wound up winning 102 games and reaching the playoffs). The A’s have also now played 37 consecutive series at home without sweeping an opponent, the longest such drought in Oakland club history. The A’s are hitting just .215 as a team, and several players are struggling mightily, including first baseman Yonder Alonso (.103), left fielder Khris Davis (.167, no home runs or RBIs) and designated hitter Billy Butler (.167, also no RBIs). Shortstop Marcus Semien has been carrying the offense with three home runs in the last two games and four overall.
Royals update: The Royals have won six of their last seven and appear to have picked up where they left off last year in winning the World Series. The A’s miss ace Yordano Ventura, as well as No. 2 man Ian Kennedy, whom the Royals added as a free agent in the offseason, but that’s about the only break they get against a team that was 5-1 against them a season ago. As usual, Kansas City beats you with pitching, defense and situational hitting. The staff ERA is 2.78 over the first nine games, and bullpen anchors Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis have yet to allow a run.
— CARL STEWARD
