Game #76: A’s versus Astros Game Thread

Time to flush yesterday and get ready for tonight

The series is even with these two division rivals splitting the first two games of this four-game series. Tonight one team will pull ahead and give themselves a chance to win the series outright on Thursday. Let’s see who comes out on top tonight first in the third game between the Athletics and Astros in West Sacramento.

Taking to the hill for the third game is Luis Severino. The veteran right-hander has a less-than-impressive 4.47 ERA on the year through 15 starts. He’s gotten hit hard in two of his last three outings but came out last time looking much better. That’s been a similar theme for Severino in his first year with the Athletics: put together a nice run, then get hit hard in a few outings before getting back on track. He had a strong outing in his lone start against these Astros this year, going six innings and allowing just one run on three hits and a pair of walks in an Athletics loss.

The Athletics’ starting nine for tonight’s contest:

Starting behind the plate will be new guy Austin Wynns in what’ll be back-to-back starts and his seventh game with the club. He’s only got two hits in an Athletics uniform but both of those hits went over the ball for home runs. We’d like to see more of that tonight from our new temporary backstop.

Elsewhere in the lineup, right fielder Lawrence Butler gets the day off with a tough left-hander on the opposing mound, with Brent Rooker taking over for him in the field. The lefty-swinging Tyler Soderstrom will also be shielded from Houston’s tough lefty, instead heading to the bench while Max Schuemann takes over in left field. Center fielder Denzel Clarke will do his best to help out these two players who rarely see time in the outfield.

Taking over the DH spot will be the recently-returned Gio Urshela, who went 2-for-2 with a double in last night’s game after taking over at third base for Max Muncy, who is back in there at the hot corner tonight. And for the first time this year, second baseman Luis Urias will bat cleanup, sandwiched between Rooker and Muncy.

For the ‘Stros, they’ll turn to staff leader Framber Valdez. One of Houston’s co-aces atop their rotation, Valdez is sporting an impressive 3.10 ERA in his eighth season as a major leaguer. He hasn’t faced the A’s yet this season but he’s got a lifetime 2.56 ERA against the Green & Gold in 13 starts (15 appearances). He’s been a tough matchup for the team ever since he entered the league and the bats have their work cut out for them tonight.

Houston’s lineup for game three breaks down like this:

No off days for any Houston regulars so let’s hope Sevy brought his A-game.

Let’s get a win A’s!