Frankie Montas, Germán Márquez seek their first wins of 2020 season

Frankie Montas (0-0, 2.25 ERA) and Germán Márquez (0-1, 1.59 ERA) are both looking for their first wins of the season after their Opening Night debuts. The Oakland A’s (3-2) are looking to split the two-game series and the Colorado Rockies (3-1) are looking for their fourth-straight win.

Almost like déjà vu, Montas and Márquez faced each other on this exact day in 2018 when Márquez earned the win in Colorado. Montas is looking to flip that around, this time on his home field. The A’s are 3-2 after one time through their full five-man starting rotation.

Montas pitched four innings during his first start of 2020 and did the same against the Rockies the last time he faced them in 2018. Márquez lasted 5-2/3 innings in his 2020 debut but took the loss after giving up two hits, three walks, and one earned run. He struck out six and held the Rangers to one run in the 1-0 loss.

Montas missed much of the 2019 season after going 9-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 15 games. Sharp and looking to be the ace early on, he was suspended 80 games without pay when he tested positive for Ostarine, a banned performance-enhancing drug. 

Montas did well against the Angels on Opening Day, striking out five and giving up three hits in four innings and 81 pitches. Melvin said at times he may have overthrown a little bit and saw the velocity go down in the fourth, but he only gave up one run and kept the A’s in the game, which is all you can ask for from a starter. 

The A’s will tweak their starting lineup for Wednesday’s game. Ramon Laureano will be the designated hitter for the first time this season and will still bat second. Mark Canha will play center. Vimael Machin will play second for the first time this season.

The A’s will have an off day tomorrow; the Rockies had theirs prior to the two-game series. Montas is historically known to struggle with lefties and the Rockies had seven lefties on their lineup card yesterday.  If Montas goes deep into the game and Jésus Luzardo is not needed to relieve, then Luzardo may earn his first starting spot of the season, as a sixth starter or a filler when needed.

It is still to be determined, and however Montas does Wednesday night will ultimately play a role in what Luzardo’s role will be this season. Luzardo has made it clear he is ready to start but obviously has to wait to get the green light.

Up Next

The A’s will get their first off day of the season after a six-game homestead, picking up Friday in Seattle against the Mariners (1-4). The Mariners are off to a tough start with just one win against two power teams. The Mariners won one of their four games series against the Houston Astros and lost 10-2 against the Los Angeles Angels.

Notes

Ramon Laureano will play DH for the first time of the season still batting the two spot. Mark Canha will play center. Machin will play second base and Murphy will catch.

Simone McCarthy is SFBay’s Oakland Athletics beat writer. Follow @SFBay and @SimoneMcCarthy0 on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of A’s baseball.