Game #105: A’s at Astros Game Thread

The start of four games in Houston

The Athletics have wrapped up their series with the Rangers but aren’t done with Texas quite yet after their sweep. They’ll instead take the short trip over to Houston to begin a four-game series with the first-place Astros, their second-to-last series of the season against the division rival. Embrace the spoiler role, everyone.

The starting pitcher for the A’s tonight will be the right-handed Luis Severino. The veteran starter will be making his 22nd start of the season and second of the half. The 31-year-old put together a quality outing his last time out, tossing five full frames and allowing just two runs on three hits against the Guardians. He’s already made two starts against the Astros this year, tossing 11 innings and allowing just three runs so he’ll be hoping to replicate that success and perhaps get his ERA under 5 by the end of the night.

The starting lineup for your Athletics tonight looks like this:

Interesting choice for the leadoff man tonight in Max Schuemann. He’ll also be manning shortstop while Jacob Wilson gets the night off. There’s no indication the star rookie is hurt but he’s 0 for his last 17 in his last four games and a day off could help get him back on track. The club will survive one night without him. And with center fielder Lawrence Butler also struggling hard recently the club is mixing up the top of their lineup, bringing first baseman Nick Kurtz all the way to the #2 hole. They’ll be followed by All-Star Brent Rooker with Tyler Soderstrom batting cleanup tonight, with Shea Langeliers right behind them in the heart of tonight’s batting order.

The team will also be giving rookie outfielder Carlos Cortes his first career start tonight. The lefty-swinging Cortes has crushed the ball in Triple-A this year and will get his first real chance tonight in a favorable matchup, hoping to show his minor league stats are no fluke. Third base will be manned by veteran Gio Urshela while Miguel Andujar gets the day off, and second will be covered by starter Luis Urias.

The lineup will be going up against a player that was their teammate earlier this year in right-hander Jason Alexander. After making just four appearances for the A’s he was designated for assignment and found his way to the Astros. He’s made two appearances for Houston, including a spot start where he dominated the Athletics for six innings in a blowout loss for the A’s. He’s being recalled again for another spot start against his former squad but hopefully this time it’s the Green & Gold that ambush him.

Houston’s batting order for the series opener:

Houston is missing key infielder Isaac Paredes after he suffered a possible season-ending hamstring strain, which doesn’t help the Astros but bodes well for the Athletics chances this series. Just make sure A’s killer Jose Altuve doesn’t get hot this series and the Green & Gold should be just fine.

Time to start this series with a win and snap this four-game losing streak. Let’s go A’s!