Buchanan Looks to Halt Skid as Phils Visit Lester, A’s

After a disappointing showing during a four-game series in San Diego, the Phillies (70-83) face a tougher test as they travel 500 miles north for a matchup with the struggling Oakland Athletics (83-69). While the Phils are coming off of a series in which they lost three out of four to the Padres, the A's, despite their record, have been having issues of their own. In their last series, the 60-win Texas Rangers swept the A's, shrinking Oakland's Wild Card playoff spot lead to one game. The A's have a dismal record of 5-11 during the month of September. Since August 10th, Oakland is just 11-25, worst in Major League Baseball. They lead Seattle by one game for the final Wild Card spot and they trail Kansas City for the top spot by a half game. The A's may be playing the Phillies at just the right time too. Philadelphia has lost four of their last six games and eight of their last twelve. Tonight's pitching matchups features rookie David Buchanan for the Phils and Jon Lester for the A's. 

Though the Phillies have lost six of their last seven games that have been started by David Buchanan (6-7, 3.75), the 25-year-old rookie has done his part to give the team a chance to win. Though he may not have overpowering stuff, Buchanan has put together consistent starts for the past few months. After allowing 11 runs in 12 innings in his first two starts in June, Buchanan has help opposing teams to three runs or less in each of his last 14 starts. In nine of those 14 starts, Buchanan has lasted six or more innings. His most recent start came against the Marlins this past Sunday, a day that was highlighted by Jonathan Papelbon's crotch grab. After holiding Miami to one run on five hits in 6.1 innings, Papelbon allowed four runs in the ninth, keeping Buchanan from earning his first win since August 6th. Buchanan has not factored into the decision in his last five starts. Over three outings this month, the Georgia State alum has posted a 2.20 ERA over 16.1 innings of work.

Jon Lester (5-3, 2.30 with OAK) will get the nod for the home team. Over the ace's last five starts, he has posted an ERA of just 1.80, which was good enough to earn him AL Pitcher of the Week honors, tallying a win in each of his last two starts. Lester was aquired by the Red Sox earlier this season and posts a combined record of 15-10 this season to go along with a 2.45 ERA. Lester has started off the month of September well, allowing just four earned runs over 22 innings, good for a 1.64 ERA over that span. Since the All-Star Break, he has posted dominant numbers. He has struck out 72 and walked just 17 and has posted a 2.11 ERA over 11 starts, going 6-3. The 30-year-old southpaw has fared well in four starts against Philadelphia, posting a 3-0 record to go along with a 1.67 ERA and .889 WHIP.

Game Notes:

• Darin Ruf has gotten the start in each of the last two games for Philadelphia. During those games, he went 3-for-8 with three runs scored and two RBI's. The Phillies face three lefties this series, so Ruf could see more time over Ryan Howard, who is hitting just .154 (4-for-26) over his last ten games. That being said, with a DH spot, we could see them both.
• Oakland's Josh Reddick injured his ankle Wednesday night after tumbling during an infirld single against Texas. Though there was no structural damage, Reddick is reportedly dealing with some symptoms of whiplash. 
• This is the first time the Phillies and Athletics will play each other since 2011 and the first time in Oakland since 2008, the year Philadelphia paraded down Broad Street.
• Freddy Galvis is 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBI's against Jon Lester while Marlon Byrd is just 1-for-11 with a double and five strikeouts

Lineups:

Phillies Lineup

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Carlos Ruiz C
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard DH
5. Marlon Byrd RF
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Darin Ruf 1B
8. Maikel Franco 3B
9. Freddy Galvis SS

Athletics Lineup

1. Coco Crisp CF
   
2. Sam Fuld RF
3. Josh Donaldson 3B
4. Adam Dunn DH
5. Brandon Moss LF
6. Stephen Vogt 1B
7. Jed Lowrie SS
8. Derek Norris C
9. Eric Sogard 2B

First Pitch: 9:35 PM ET

Location: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA

Weather: 66^o F, Clear Skies

TV: CSN

Radio: 1210 WPHT, 98.1 WOGL

Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com