Game Thread #14: A's vs. Astros (1)

At 9-4, there's no reason for the fanbase to panic. Indeed, playing the Astros may just be what the A's need. That said, the Astros seem to have found some of their hitting stroke. Our former Trogdor has been burninating again, having hit 4 HR since the A's last saw him, and raising his wRC+ to 150. He's also K'ing about 38% of the time, but who cares about that.

Of course, the A's shouldn't take any opponent lightly. As some have pointed out, the road through the AL West may well be won through Houston: as the three top teams probably go 9-10 or 10-9 on each other, whoever goes 15-4 on them may end up holding the difference.

Here is the lineup, from Baseball-Press. Notice that Coco Crisp's groin must be better, as he is back in the leadoff spot. Reddick also sits against a lefty, as Taylor goes into LF and Young slides into RF.

Tommy Milone

#57 / Pitcher / Oakland Athletics

Height: 6-0

Weight: 205

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Feb 16, 1987

Erik Bedard

#45 / Pitcher / Houston Astros

Height: 6-1

Weight: 200

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Mar 05, 1979

You can also follow The Crawfish Boxes, SBN's Astros blog. They do good GIFs.

Of course, our thoughts go out to those in Boston affected by today's tragic events at the Boston Marathon.