I like this matchup for Triston McKenzie. The 6’5 165 lb pitcher has some nasty stuff featuring a plus fastball and curveball that rack up strikeouts, and he gets a K prone A’s squad.
Triston is in his third season in the pros and has shown some solid potential. He is not the most consistent pitcher, but he has always picked up K at a great rate. 170.1 innings into his career, he has 195 K (1.14 per inning). A trend I am encouraged by more specifically to today, is his 95 K in 75 innings in day games (1.27 per inning). As for this season, Triston worked up to 90 pitches in his last outing, so he should be unleashed to a full workload today. He has hit his strikeout prop in 2/4 starts despite throwing 80 or less pitches in 3 of his 4 starts.
As for the A’s, they shipped off some of their top bats this offseason and have become a great target for K. They are 6th in K% vs righties so far this season, so I think Triston is set for a big day.
