Oakland Athletics have Wild Card lineup set, Adam Dunn on bench

The Oakland Athletics haven’t officially posted their lineup for tonight’s Wild Card game at Kauffman Stadium against the Kansas City Royals, but we know who will be catcher, and that Adam Dunn, in the first postseason in what’s expected to be the final year of his career, will be on the bench in a win-or-go-home game:

More from MLB

• MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
• Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return
• Shohei Ohtani trade rumors live tracker: Every update so far
• MLB Rumors: Yankees mistake, Cardinals trade package, Cubs choice
• Inside the Clubhouse: What I’m hearing ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline

Oakland will send ace left-hander Jon Lester to the mound against the Royals’ best pitcher, right hander James Shields. It’s a bit of a curious move, as even in his final season, Dunn’s been a good source of power with 22 home runs, but if using Dunn as the designated hitter was not an option, there isn’t a good place on the field to use him as he’s an awful fielder no matter where Oakland would try to hide him.

Still, it’s disappointing to see that Dunn, in what could be both his only playoff game and perhaps his last active MLB game, won’t be hitting. It’s certainly possible A’s manager Bob Melvin plans on calling on Dunn to pinch-hit at some point in the game, and if Oakland were to win tonight, the A’s would be guaranteed at least three more games in the ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels.

More from FanSided.com

Milwaukee Brewers rumors: Francisco Rodriguez wants to pitch for Brewers in 2015
Washington Nationals plan to use Tanner Roark out of bullpen in the playoffs
MLB: In a season of goodbyes, Adam Dunn will be missed
Seattle Mariners designate Corey Hart for assignment
Minnesota Twins P Ricky Nolasco tells fan he wishes he was still in L.A.