8/14: Open game thread

Well, it's rubber match day down in Oakland as the M's look to take the series against the A's, hopefully to gain some ground in the Wild Card standings a month-and-a-half out from the end of the season. Yes, a month-and-a-half, with only two games out of the playoffs. Hell, at this point, why not go for the division?

Mariners, 2 games out of a Wild Card spot, currently have a 34% chance of making the postseason.https://t.co/CxpTgcP40I

— Zach Sanders (@zvsanders) August 14, 2016

Pitching today for the M's will be one Wade LeBlanc, who previously gave up ten hits in his last start against the Tigers. This could be the Baileys and cereal talking, but I happen to think the eventual walk-off was a blast, numbers aside. So what do you say, Wade, do what you will.

Other games to keep an eye on today will be the Tigers in Arlington, the outcome of which could be seen as a boost to the Mariners either way you look at it. Elsewhere we've got Wade Miley facing the Giants for the Orioles, and Zack Greinke hopefully set to tear through the danged Red Sox. Lots of season left, but things are starting to get real, even more real than whatever whirlwind of luck and opportunity the boys tripped into back in 2014. So biz on, baseball men. Biz on.

Game info

• Mariners @ Athletics, 1:10 PM PDT
• TV: ROOT
• Radio: 710 ESPN
• Online: mlb.tv

UPDATE:

Mariners with a lineup scratch, Smith out with bruise. Aoki 7 Seager 5 Cano 4 Cruz 9 Lind 3 Lee DH Martin 8 Zunino 2 O'Malley 6

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) August 14, 2016