Even as Oakland’s postseason pitching plans remain murky, the final weekend’s starters are set, with Brentwood’s Paul Blackburn making his return to the big-league roster for a start Saturday.
Blackburn, who has spent the entire season at the A’s alternate site in San Jose, will pitch the second game of a doubleheader against Seattle, with Mike Minor starting the first game at the Coliseum.
Frankie Montas, Oakland’s Opening Night starter, is also expected be on the mound for the team’s season finale Sunday, manager Bob Melvin said. Unless Montas throws limited innings, that would point to little to no involvement for him in the best-of-three wild-card series that opens Tuesday.
The A’s playoff opener is likely to be pitched by Sean Manaea and/or Jesús Luzardo, with the Game 2 start likely going to Chris Bassitt. Manaea, Luzardo or Mike Fiers could start Game 3 if the series goes that far.
“Certainly the opponent has something to do with it,” said Melvin, whose club is likely to face Houston or an AL Central team. “We do have guys lined up to be flexible on how we deploy them.”
Blackburn, who will be the 29th player Saturday, spent parts of the previous three seasons with the A’s, going 5-6 with a 5.18 ERA. Melvin said the right-hander was the choice over some other potential choices because he’s typically able to get deeper into games.
“Paul looked good in his time at the alternate site,” Triple-A Las Vegas manager Fran Riordan said in a text. “He had to figure out ways to stay sharp, because he spent so much time on the taxi squad and didn’t get many chances to face live hitters. He was able to do that and showed good stuff and command when he did get his opportunities in San Jose.”
“He’s the same as he’s always been, throwing strikes, good competitor,” A’s director of player development Ed Sprague said via text. “He just needs to have perfect location with all of his pitches.”
Briefly: Second baseman Tony Kemp was awarded the team’s Dave Stewart Community Service Award on Friday for his involvement in numerous charitable organizations in the Bay Area and in Nashville, helping to provide resources during the pandemic and also starting an initiative called the +1 Effect to raise awareness and create a dialogue about racial injustice against Black people in the U.S. ... Postseason rosters must be set by 10 a.m. the day of Game 1, but there are provisions to add players who were on the COVID injured list onto the roster at any point once eligible, The Chronicle has learned. A’s reliever J.B. Wendelken was placed on the injured list without explanation Thursday or without specifying which IL. Players who go on the COVID IL have not necessarily tested positive for the virus, but might have come in contact with someone else who did or they might have an illness that presents with similar symptoms.
Susan Slusser covers the A’s for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: sslusser@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @susanslusser
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September 26, 2020 at 09:57AM
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Paul Blackburn to get a start for A’s on Saturday; Frankie Montas likely to work Sunday - San Francisco Chronicle
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