Jeremy Peña Returns to Astros Lineup for Saturday Showdown With A's

The Astros and Athletics meet up for the middle game of their three game set at Daikin Park. The game is set for a 6:10 p.m. CT first pitch in Houston.

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Hunter Brown starts the game alongside Athletics left-hander Jacob Lopez. Brown is coming off a weak start in his last outing against the Mariners. He allowed eight baserunners in 5.0 innings. He earned the loss with two earned runs allowed. He had a 5-walk outing.

For this season, the right-handed pitcher has a 3.67 ERA and a 4.61 FIP. His strikeout rate is down from 28.3% last year to 24.7% this season. His walk rate inflation is alarming, going from 7.8% to 13.8%.

Athletics starting pitcher Jacob Lopez (57) throws a pitch. — Athletics starting pitcher Jacob Lopez (57) Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Lopez has a 5.22 ERA in 17 starts and three games in relief. Last time out, Lopez pitched a quality start with 6.0 innings and only two runs allowed. He struck out six in the six frames. Lopez has given up two runs or less in each of his last seven starts. Over that time, Lopez has a 2.36 ERA with 34.1 innings pitched. He had a 7.04 ERA before this seven-game stretch.

The Astros bring a righty-heavy lineup against the lefty. This is the first time the Astros have faced a left-handed starting pitcher since Aug. 11. The team is 14-17 against lefties this season.

Top of the Lineup

Jeremy Pena returns to the lineup hitting leadoff and playing shortstop. He has a .537 OPS in August.

Yordan Alvarez hits his customary second in the lineup. Alvarez has homered in one of his two at bats while previously facing Lopez. During his active mini three game hitting streak he is 4-for-8 with three doubles, a walk and a hit by pitch.

Isaac Paredes is hot over his last 10 games hitting each one in the three hole. He is 14-for-36 with a 1.032 OPS over the span. Paredes has gone deep one time during the stretch contributing to his 16 long balls he’s hit this season.

Middle Order

Jose Altuve (27) beats out the throw. — Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jose Altuve was able to leg out two infield hits in the early innings on Friday. He hits fourth in the lineup after batting leadoff on Friday. He has hit safely in six of seven games with an .887 OPS over that stretch.

Christian Walker, hitting fifth, has entered a bit of a cold spell. He snapped a 0-for-17 with a hit in the sixth on Friday. He would add another hit in the eighth, both singles.

Daulton Varsho hits sixth with a .458 OPS and a .143 AVG in his time in Houston. His OPS is 43 points lower against lefties in his career.

Bottom of the Order

Yainer Diaz hits behind Varsho in seventh. He’s on a four-game hit streak, all singles. Diaz has a .475 OPS this month.

Cam Smith hits in the eight hole against the lefty. Smith has a .778 OPS against southpaws in his career compared to .638 against righties. Smith has posted a .296 AVG with an .884 OPS this month down from 1.072 where it stood three days ago.

Lamonte Wade Jr. rounds out the lineup hitting ninth. He returns to the outfield after spending his last game (Thursday against Angels) at first base with a brief stint on the mound in a blowout loss.

Busting out the nicknames for Players' Weekend!

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— Houston Astros (@astros) August 22, 2026

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