The Houston Astros are set to face the Athletics in a four-game series in Sacramento. Coming off a sweep of the Minnesota Twins, the Astros are riding high, having won 10 of their last 13 games. They currently boast a 94.1% chance of reaching the postseason, according to projections.
In their recent victory against the Twins, Josh Hader secured the win in relief, while Brandon Walter delivered a quality start, striking out nine over 6 2⁄3 innings. Mauricio Dubón sealed the deal with a walk-off RBI-single in the 10th inning.
“They fight ‘til the end. I’m not surprised by their fight, but when you see it and you feel the energy in that dugout, it’s incredible,” said Astros manager Joe Espada.
Meanwhile, the Athletics, with a record of 29-44, are coming off a sweep of the Kansas City Royals. Their chances of reaching the postseason are slim, currently standing at less than 0.1%. Before meeting the Guardians, they will conclude their four games against the Astros.
Series Schedule and Pitching Matchups
Here’s a look at the pitching matchups for the series:
- Monday: Ryan Gusto (4-3, 4.56 ERA) vs. Mitch Spence (2-1, 3.67 ERA)
- Tuesday: TBD vs. TBD
- Wednesday: Framber Valdez (7-4, 3.10 ERA) vs. TBD
- Thursday: Colton Gordon (2-1, 4.70 ERA) vs. TBD
Athletics Recent Performance
The Athletics recently celebrated a walk-off home run by rookie Nick Kurtz against the Astros. JP Sears took the mound, currently holding a 5-5 record with a 5.08 ERA and fifty-eight strikeouts. They hope to build on that momentum against the Astros in Sutter Health Park.
Stay tuned for more updates as the series unfolds!