A’s take on world champion Cubs to open Cactus League

A’s take on world champion Cubs to open Cactus League

Oakland doesn’t get to ease into the Cactus League, no low-profile Brewers matchup at Maryvale for the A’s.

Another new Oakland outfielder, Rajai Davis, put a major scare into Cubs-dom in Game 7, with his game-tying homer in the ninth inning for Cleveland, one of the more thrilling moments in recent baseball history.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said earlier in the week that he anticipates a raucous crowd.

Oakland outfielder Mark Canha, who also will play Saturday, said, It should make for a good atmosphere - it’s always fun to play in front of a bunch of excited people instead of an empty stadium.

The left-handed starter threw eight scoreless innings in his Oakland debut on Aug. 10 after being acquired from Cleveland for cash considerations, but lost his next three starts.

Detwiler, who is scheduled to pitch after Jesse Hahn in Saturday’s Cactus League opener against the Cubs, re-signed with Oakland late as a free-agent non-roster invitee.

Detwiler has thrown the pitch in some bullpen sessions, and catcher Bruce Maxwell likes the looks of it, saying, It comes out of his hand well, it’s got late break to it, on then off the plate.

Everyone knows he’s got that big curveball and he spots his fastball well, so it’s a nice little wrinkle to add.

First-round pick A.J. Puk drew a large crowd when he threw batting practice to hitters and Melvin said the 6-foot-7 lefty, He’s responding really well.