Game Thread #149: A's at Houston

Let's ruin some playoff dreams!

Sonny Gray is starting tonight, and he might even have a chance to get back into the Cy Young discussion. After Dallas Keuchel's awful start versus the Rangers a few days ago, Sonny can still get back into the race with a strong end to his season. Unfortunately, he hasn't been good recently. We'll see if he can get back on track.

Old friend Scott Kazmir will be opposing him. Since he went to the Astros, he's been... okay. 3.06 ERA, but that covers up a significant decline in his peripheral numbers. His strikeout rate is down, his HR rate is through the roof, and he's getting fewer grounders. Kazmir allowed 4 runs over 6 innings last time he faced the A's (September 8th).

In today's "the 2015 A's are cursed" news:

A's news: C Josh Phegley, scratched yesterday, got hit in the back of the head with a bat during BP. Concussion. Carson Blair's in today

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) September 19, 2015

How does that even happen???

Here are the (modified) lineups:

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<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>

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<th align="left">OAKLAND A'S</th>

<th align="left">HOUSTON ASTROS</th>

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<tr><td class="td-last td-name">Billy Burns - CF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Jose Altuve - 2B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Mark Canha - 1B</td><td class="td-first td-name">George Springer - RF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Brett Lawrie - 2B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Carlos Correa - SS</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Danny Valencia - 3B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Jed Lowrie - 3B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Billy Butler - DH</td><td class="td-first td-name">Colby Rasmus - CF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Marcus Semien - SS</td><td class="td-first td-name">Evan Gattis - DH</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Jake Smolinski - LF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Luis Valbuena - 1B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Carson Blair - C</td><td class="td-first td-name">Preston Tucker - LF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Craig Gentry - RF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Jason Castro - C</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name"></td><td class="td-first td-name"></td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Sonny Gray - RHP</td><td class="td-first td-name">Scott Kazmir - LHP</td></tr></tbody>

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