Game Thread #150: A's at Astros

The Astros are desperate for wins. Having led the AL West for 139 days this season the Astros suddenly find themselves in second-place for almost a full week. Combined with the suddenly surging Slegna, a loss today to our Oakland Athletics becomes more than just another series loss. Houston is 5-12 this month. The specter of a classic September collapse is clearly hanging over Minute Maid Park.

Attempting to add fodder to the Astros 2015 collapse storyline is today's Oakland starter Aaron Brooks. It has been a tough couple months for Aaron. On August 6th, after two starts, his ERA was a solid 2.41. Back then the hyperbole surrounding Aaron was a bit overly-optimistic with the hopes that Billy Beane had found another Ace in the deal that sent Ben Zobrist to the Royals.

Billy did bring over a potential Ace in that Royals deal, but unfortunately it wasn't Aaron. Six starts after his stellar debut has seen Aaron's ERA balloon to 7.68. In three starts this month Aaron has given up five or more earned runs in each contest. He is still young, however, and getting him the 2015 reps is important. And the atmosphere in Houston will be enthusiastically charged with the Astros fans willing their team into the playoffs . . . I think? It's a September Sunday in Texas and baseball may not be first priority for most Houstonians.

For info on today's lineup I refer you to JFK's recent post about the return of Stephen Vogt: