Which Version of Houston Astros Will Show Up Against Athletics After Disastrous Series?
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There’s no better way to break out of an offensive slump than to play a lowly team like this year’s Oakland Athletics.
The Houston Astros aim to bounce back after back-to-back road losses to the Milwaukee Brewers when they face the last-place A’s starting Friday, May 26 in Oakland.
Following an eight-game win streak that had Houston within a game of the first place Texas Rangers in the American League West, the Astros bats went quiet on Tuesday and Wednesday in Milwaukee.
In fact, Houston managed a mere nine hits over those two days and were shutout in both games.
Jose Altuve is also expected to return to the lineup on Friday, the Astros just play better baseball when he’s on the field with the team.
Houston’s defense remains superb, and the pitching staff did everything they could to keep the Astros in the game on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
But something’s got to give in Houston’s offense, and as Astros manager Dusty Baker likes to say, “Yordan [Alvarez] can’t come through all the time.”
With the Rangers (31-18) facing a tough Baltimore Orioles team (32-17) on the road starting Friday, now is the time for Houston to gain some ground in the AL West.
Only time will tell, but it all starts with a Houston win on Friday night.
Astros rookie Hunter Brown (4-1, 3.20 ERA) takes the hill in the opener as the A’s counter with right-hander James Kaprielian (0-4, 8.68 ERA).
First pitch for Friday’s showdown between Houston (28-21) and Oakland (10-41) is slated for 8:40 p.m. CT.
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