Athletics meet Marlins, aim for fourth straight series win

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay says his young team is a confident group as it tries to win its fourth consecutive series Saturday afternoon in a matchup against the host Miami Marlins.

But why wouldn’t the A’s be confident?

The rebuilding team has won eight of its last 10 games, including three in a row, and has the best road record in the majors at 12-6. The A’s also are in second place in the competitive American League West, just two games behind the Seattle Mariners.

“We’re playing with some confidence right now,” Kotsay said after a 6-1 victory over the Marlins in Friday night’s series opener. “These guys are feeling really good about the way they’re playing baseball. When you get a team like that, that’s young and starts to build confidence together, it can be a good thing.”

Gunnar Hoglund, a 25-year-old right-hander acquired from Toronto in March 2022 as part of the trade that sent Matt Chapman to the Blue Jays, made his major league debut on Friday and allowed one run on six hits over six innings. He struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter in earning the win.

“Outstanding performance by the young man,” Kotsay said. “He, from pitch one, seemed to be really focused. You couldn’t really tell if there were any nerves or not. He came right out and attacked. That was a great night for the young man.”

Hoglund had been recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas after compiling a 1-2 record and 2.43 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings for the Aviators. The Dunedin, Fla., native had his parents in the stands cheering for him.

“I don’t even know where to start,” Hoglund replied when asked what his emotions were following the victory. “I’m just thankful it went the way it did. Didn’t have much sleep after I got the call. Woke up today and I was trying to treat it like it was just another game. You know, it’s NOT another game. It’s your first one, and you want to make a good impression. I’m just glad I had everything working today.”

“You just tip your cap to someone when they throw the ball well like that,” Miami manager Clayton McCullough said.

It was the sixth straight loss for the Marlins, who finished with seven hits. Left fielder Eric Wagaman had three while Dane Myers homered in the sixth for Miami’s lone run.

The Marlins will turn to right-hander Max Meyer (2-3, 3.18 ERA) to try to snap the team’s skid. Meyer, tied for ninth in the National League in strikeouts with 47 in 34 innings, has never faced the Athletics. He struck out 14 batters over six shutout innings in his last home appearance on April 21, a 6-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 4.31 ERA), who is 0-0 with a 1.86 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against Miami, will start for the Athletics. Bido is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA in three road starts this season.

The Marlins could be without starting second baseman Otto Lopez, who left Friday’s contest after the first inning with an ankle injury.

“I think after he’s able to get it looked at further we’ll have a better idea of the extent of that, and what it looks like over the next day or so,” McCullough said. “It wasn’t anything that happened out there in the top of the first inning. Just twisted it as he was coming off.”

–Field Level Media