The Oakland Athletics visit the Texas Rangers for a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon to wrap up a four-game series, giving them a chance to bounce back from their defeats the previous two days. The Rangers, the reigning World Series champions, have won the first two games of the series by various routes. They came together to win 4-2 on Monday. On Tuesday, they won 15–8 after scoring 10 runs in the second inning. Two of the teams’ best pitchers square off in the doubleheader, and the nightcap features an exciting battle of minor league call-ups. Texas’ starting pitcher, Michael Lorenzen (2-1, 3.52 ERA), is expected to start the game. In his six career appearances (five starts), he is 4-0 with an amazing 0.29 ERA against Oakland. This year, the 32-year-old right-hander will be starting on the road for the fourth time in five games. This season, he has a 2.12 ERA and is 2-0 away from home. JP Sears (2-2, 3.89 ERA) is the likely left-hander used by the A’s to counter. In his most recent start, a 3-1 victory at home against the Miami Marlins on Friday, he threw 6 1/3 shutout innings while giving up four hits and one walk. He had tossed at least six shutout innings in a start for the third time this season. On April 11, the Sears defeated the Rangers 1-0 thanks to 6 1/3 innings of scoreless ball in which they allowed just one hit. In his six career starts versus Texas, he is 2-1 with a 4.40 ERA. The A’s nightcap will feature right-hander Osvaldo Bido, who has never faced the Rangers, making his first appearance of the season and first start. After making nine starts and seven relief appearances for the Pittsburgh Pirates the previous season, Bido signed as a free agent in the summer. After throwing 12 1/3 scoreless innings in his last two starts for Triple-A Las Vegas, giving up five hits and striking out fifteen, he earned the promotion to Oakland. With A’s starter Joe Boyle on the injured list because of a back injury he suffered in a Sunday defeat to the Marlins, Bido may see more than one outing. Regarding Bido, 28, “His last two starts have been really good,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay stated. “He’s another guy our front office identified this offseason as someone that can provide depth as a starter or even as a bullpen guy.” Jack Leiter (0-0, 17.18 ERA) was promoted by the Rangers in an attempt by the visitors to win the series. On April 18, the 24-year-old right-hander gave the Rangers one similar emergency start. In his lone major league appearance, the Detroit Tigers blasted him for seven runs and eight hits in three and a half innings. The organisation has great expectations for the son of former major league left-hander Al Leiter, according to Texas manager Bruce Bochy. “He’s thrown the ball well,” Bochy remarked. “Considering his location, his throwing motion, and everything else, he’s in an excellent situation. Excellent breaking ball. We are aware of fastballs. I’m excited to watch him.”
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