Houston Astros Travel to Oakland Looking to Continue Winning Ways

To say that the Houston Astros have been on fire to start off July would be an understatement, as the side has only dropped one of their seven games.

Their most recent series was against the Kansas City Royals in which the Astros took three of four games. Their loss in game three snapped a six-game winning streak, five games off of their season-high.

There isn't just one spot to attribute their successes to as both their offense and their pitching have been on another level in the league. Throughout the first week of July, the Astros held the highest batting average (.291), slugging percentage(.377), and on-base percentage (.581) in the league.

This dominance is in part due to the high production from Kyle Tucker and Jose Altuve through the first week. Tucker is slashing .348/.333/.478 so far this month. Altuve is taking it a step higher, hitting .429/.500/.667 following a cold end to June.

Just as Houston's offense is amongst the best in the league, so is their pitching. Their pitching staff holds the second-lowest opposing batting average (.212), and the third-lowest WHIP (1.11) while giving up the lowest amount of hits in the league (568).

Justin Verlander has been on a tear in his comeback season, showing that he hasn't lost anything that made him the ace the Astros traded for in 2017. Verlander leads the league with 11 wins, pitching to the tune of a 2.00 ERA and a FIP of 3.38.

On the other side of the ticket are the Oakland Athletics, who have been struggling as of late. In their previous ten games, the Athletics have only come out on top in three.

Just as the Astros' offense ranks near the top of the league, the Athletics' ranks amongst the lowest. Their batting average (.219), slugging percentage (.281), and on-base percentage (.335) rank among the bottom-five lowest in the league.

Earlier in the week the Athletics lost Frankie Montas to shoulder inflammation according to The Athletic furthering adding to Oakland's woes.

Game One:

Astros Starter: Jose Urquidy (7-3, 4.15 ERA)

Athletics Starter: TBD

Jose Urquidy will open the series for the Astros on Friday, coming off of a strong start against the Los Angeles Angels. Urquidly allowed just two hits and one run while fanning eight batters across six innings in the start.

Although the Athletics have not announced any of their starters for this series, one possibility to get the start is Paul Blackburn. The righty will come into Friday with six days of rest following his start against the Mariners. In that start, Blackburn allowed four hits while striking out five batters over 6.1 innings.

First Pitch: Friday, 8:40 P.M. CT

Where to Watch: KBME 790 AM/ ATT SportsNet-SW

Game Two:

Astros Starter: Framber Valdez (8-3, 2.67 ERA)

Athletics Starter: TBD

Framber Valdez is slated to get the start on Saturday, following his hot start against the Angels. On Sunday, Valdez went six innings while allowing three hits and two runs. But the highlight of his performance was his season-high 13 strikeouts. In his previous start against the Astros, Valdez pitched a complete game, allowing only two hits and one run.

Cole Irvine should get the start on Saturday for the Athletics. Irvine will be on five days rest following his start against the Blue Jays. In that start, Irvine allowed four hits and one run across eight innings.

First Pitch: Saturday, 3:07 P.M. CT

Where to Watch: KBME 790 AM/ ATT SportsNet-SW

Game Three:

Astros Starter: Jake Odorizzi (3-2, 4.04 ERA)

Athletics Starter: TBD

Jake Odorizzi will close out the series on Sunday, coming off a start against the Royals that he'd like to forget. Odorizzi allowed nine hits and five runs across four innings during his previous start.

The Athletics may send Adrian Martinez to the mound on Sunday, which would be his first start in five days. In his previous outing against the Blue Jays, Martinez allowed eight hits and three runs while striking out five batters.

First Pitch: Sunday, 3:07 P.M. CT

Where to Watch: KBME 790 AM/ ATT SportsNet-SW

Players to Watch:

Astros: Jose Altuve

Altuve has been off to a hot start in July, as he is slugging .429/.500/.667 with a home run and three RBI. In his 12th year in the league, Altuve is still going strong as he ranks within the top 75% for xBA, xSLG, and xWOBA. Earlier in the season Altuve averaged .273/.385/.546 against the Athletics, so he'll be looking to keep providing for his team.

Athletics: Ramon Laureano

Laureano finds himself as the player to watch due to his high level of production over his previous ten games. During that span, Laureano is hitting .282/.417/.615 with four home runs and seven RBI. One part of Laureano's game that has improved over that period is his eye, as he has walked eight times, none of which were intentional. Laureano had Houston's numbers when the two played earlier in the season as he slugged .308/.308/.308. As a bright spot for a team who is currently struggling, Laureano will look to provide for Oakland throughout the series.

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