The Astros begin a three-game set with the Oakland A’s starting tonight.
Tonight at 8:40 PM CT, the Astros will meet with the Oakland A’s for the first game of a three-game series.
This is the second (of four) series between Houston and Oakland. The Astros swept the first one, a four-game set between May 13 and May 16. They’ll meet twice more during the season — from July 22 through July 24 in Oakland once more, and from September 10 through September 12 back at MMP.
As stated, Houston dumped the Athletics without ceremony in the season-opening series last week, winning by an aggregate 22-4 score. In the finale, Cristian Javier (3-1, 3.23) struck out eight over six shutout innings, walking one and giving up two hits before making way for Shawn Dubin to notch a nine-out save. Houston did most of their offensive damage with a six-run third inning, featuring Joey Loperfido’s first career home run. Alex Bregman and Jake Meyers had a pair of hits each in the win.
It’s a long season and we’ve got a ways to go. We’ve got to continue to build on the way we’re playing right now, but I’m very pleased. — Joe Espada
In all-time head-to-head play, Houston is 111-93 against the A’s, a .544 winning percentage that translates to Houston’s eighth-best record against an all-time opponent.
Houston just concluded a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels, dropping the opener and the closer. In the middle game, on Tuesday, Jeremy Peña walked the Halos off with a 10th-inning RBI-single for a 6-5 win. Josh Hader (3-3, 4.09) got the win with two perfect innings of relief, along with four strikeouts. Kyle Tucker (16, 17), Jon Singleton (5), and Yordan Alvarez (9) each went deep in the victory.
We have really good fans, and they do a good job out there cheering us on. It was a cool moment. It’s still early, so there’s a long way to go. — Tucker
Oakland just finished a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies. After splitting the first two, the Rockies took the finale, 4-3 in 12 innings yesterday afternoon. JJ Bleday (6) went deep, while Brett Rooker and Zach Gelof collected two hits each. Seven pitchers entered the game for the A’s, but Kyle Muller (0-1, 3.94) took the loss.
I was able to hit [lefties] in Triple-A. My goal is to try to hit them in the big leagues. — Bleday
Standings
Houston Astros: 22-28, .440, third in the AL West, 4 1⁄2 games behind the division-leading Seattle Mariners, 12th in the American League, 22nd in MLB. On pace for 71-91. Fangraphs projection is 84-78, with a 50.2 percent chance to get into the playoffs. Last 10: WWWWWLWLWL.
Oakland Athletics: 21-31, .404, fourth in the AL West, 6 1⁄2 games behind the M’s. 13th in the American League, 25th in MLB. On pace for 65-97, Fangraphs projection is 68-94, with a 0.2 percent chance of the playoffs. Last 10: LLLLLLLWLL.
Heroes and Zeroes (Highest and Lowest WPA from Houston’s series against LA)
Josh Hader 44.7
Kyle Tucker 25.0
Mauricio Dubon 18.3
Ryan Pressly 12.1
Tayler Scott 7.6
Jose Altuve -17.0
Victor Caratini -19.9
Cristian Javier -24.1
Alex Bregman -34.4
Framber Valdez -57.7