A's Lineup: Weeks sitting, 3-4 hitters slumping

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The A's are hitting a bit of a skid. They have lost three of their last four games and were shutout for a MLB-worst 14th time on Tuesday. Oakland needs to find a way to capitalize on its remaining games against teams with a losing record. At 50-65 the Royals are one of those losing teams, but they have shutout the A's four times this year. Oakland is hitting .170 against Kansas City this season, the lowest average against any American League opponent. Oakland Athletics (61-54) lineupCoco Crisp, CF
Jonny Gomes, DH
Josh Reddick, RF
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Chris Carter, 1B
Derek Norris, C
Josh Donaldson, 3B
Adam Rosales, 2B
Cliff Pennington, SS
Instant AnalysisThe A's are facing a left-handed pitcher so they are going with a righty-heavy lineup. Adam Rosales will be at second base in favor of Jemile Weeks. Rosales has played four games at second this season, last starting there on June 14. He has performed well since being recalled on August 2. Weeks could be under pressure. He made a costly error on Tuesday and Grant Green has been seeing extra time at second base in Triple-A. Top of the OrderJonny Gomes is back in the lineup batting second. He has homered in his last three games played. Gomes is A's manager Bob Melvin's go-to guy when a left-handed pitcher is on the mound. Heart of the OrderThe heart of the A's order is slumping. Josh Reddick is hitting .174 with 26 strikeouts in his last 15 games. Yoenis Cespedes hasn't had an extra-base hit in a career-high 13 games. His last one was a triple that came on July 28. It isn't all bad for the Cuban Cannon though, his .374 average since the All-Star Break ranks him second in the American League. Bottom of the OrderJosh Donaldson went 1 for 2 with a walk in his return to the A's. He also committed a costly baserunning mistake. The catcher-turned-third baseman did look good defensively in the game. He has a big opportunity to show case his skills with Brandon Inge on the disabled list. Adam Rosales has started in seven of the A's 11 games since being recalled. He is batting .286 (6 for 21) with two homers and six RBIs. Starting PitchersThe A's send Brandon McCarthy (6-3, 2.68 ERA) to the hill for his second start since returning from the disabled list. In his last start he pitched six innings against the White Sox allowing three runs on three home runs. The Royals will send left-handed pitcher Will Smith (3-4, 5.48 ERA) to the mound. He is on his second stint with the Royals and has a 3.94 ERA in his last five starts since re-joining the team.