The A's have won seven games in a row and are a season-high nine games over .500. They are coming off a 16-run shutout win which ties the franchise record. Not surprisingly, not much has changed in the lineup. Oakland Athletics (53-44) lineup1. Coco Crisp (S) CF
2. Jonny Gomes (R) RF
3. Josh Reddick (L) DH
4. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
5. Chris Carter (R) 1B
6. Brandon Inge (R) 3B
7. Kurt Suzuki (R) C
8. Brandon Hicks (R) SS
9. Jemile Weeks (S) 2B
Instant AnalysisKurt Suzuki is catching instead of Derek Norris and Josh Reddick gets a half-day off serving as DH instead of playing right field. Jonny Gomes will in right instead of Reddick. No Spiderman catches today.
Top of the OrderCoco Crisp cracked two home runs on Wednesday and added a single for good measure. He is hitting .364 in eight games since the All-Star Break. Heart of the OrderMost people thought they could expect big power and plate discipline from Chris Carter -- it just took longer than expected. The big first baseman has shown vast improvement in his most recent call to the big leagues. His defense looks much better, his approach at the plate is much quieter, and the results are showing. Carter has six homers in 15 games since being recalled by the A's. He also has more walks (10) than strikeouts (9). In 15 games last year with the A's he struck out 20 times and drew two walks. Bottom of the OrderKurt Suzuki is batting seventh for the A's. It's nothing to write home about, but he is slowly improving at the plate. Check out his average by month: May: .187, June: .208, July: .250. His slugging percentage is increasing as well: May: .213, June: .250, July: .450. Starting PitchersTommy Milone (9-6, 3.34) takes the mound for the A's as they seek the series sweep. He will be making his 20th start of the season and has allowed one earned run or fewer in five of his last six starts. Aaron Laffey (2-1, 2.77 ERA) gets the ball for the Blue Jays. He will be the fourth left-handed pitcher in a row faced by the A's. Laffey has four quality starts in his last five outings.
Blue Jays lineup1. Rajai Davis (R) RF
2. Colby Rasmus (L) CF
3. Brett Lawrie (R) 3B
4. Edwin Encarnacion (R) DH
5. Travis Snider (L) LF
6. Yan Gomes (R) 1B
7. Kelly Johnson (L) 2B
8. Jeff Mathis (R) C
9. Omar Vizquel (S) SS