Lamb stepping up for A's to fill impossible Chapman void

It’s impossible to replace two-time Platinum Gold Glove winner Matt Chapman, but third baseman Jake Lamb certainly is filling the void.

Lamb was signed by the A’s on Sept. 14 after being DFA’d by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and instantly made his presence known.

In 13 regular-season games with the A's, Lamb had 12 hits and three home runs after a down season in Arizona. It was as if he put on a green and gold uniform and once again became the 2017 All-Star caliber player D-backs fans wanted. Now, he finds himself in the playoffs. 

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“This is an awesome group,” Lamb said on Wednesday. “We show up, we’re confident, we know what we got to do.”

In addition to his consistent offense, he’s making solid plays that could make Chapman feel better about giving up the hot corner for a bit.

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“Well, it’s never going to be the same,” manager Bob Melvin said on Wednesday. “Lamb’s done a great job for us, but you’re talking about a two-time Platinum Award winner, a guy that allows you to play defense differently.

"Look, I don’t want to take anything away from what Jake Lamb has done for us, he’s done a great job for us.” 

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