Red Sox at A’s lineup: Playoffs? PLAYOFFS?! We’re just trying to win a game!

The reeling Red Sox (21-21) look to avoid both falling below .500 and being swept in a four-game series by the last-place team in the AL West when they take on the Athletics (20-23) this afternoon in Oakland (4:05 p.m., NESN).

The kindest thing about the team I can say is that to this point, I’ve tried to avoid name-checking the “Fire Farrell” crowd, because I think the Red Sox generally have their shit together. If one loss is ever going to change that, it’s likely to be during a game like today’s.

Eduardo Rodriguez (3.05 ERA), who was wild but effective his last time out, will try to straighten out his stuff against a lineup that sent yesterday several balls into orbit against, and to, Boston. The A’s will counter with Andrew Triggs, bearer of a 2.12 ERA. He’s not really a strikeout pitcher, but the Sox will likely do their best to change that today.

On the bright side, a win would get the team back above .500 before they begin a six-game homestand against the red-hot Rangers, David Price is coming back soon and it’s not even yet Memorial Day. There are still reasons to be positive, but there’s a lot of work left to do if the team wants to still be in it on Labor Day, and it starts today.

The batting order is back to normal, for what it’s worth. Here are the full lineups: