:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60492465/usa-today-10128679.0.0.0.jpg)
Game 1: Hit one home run and win.
Game 2: Hit five home runs and lose.
Game 3: ???
I honestly have no prediction for how this game will go.
Two Mondays ago, Houston's Brad Peacock was dominant, striking out eight and giving up only one run over 5.2 innings. Two starts before that, he went only three innings and gave up four runs. He only recently nabbed a starting role.
Daniel Gossett is also a bit of a wild card. He was solid in his last couple outings (2 runs in 6+ innings) but iffy in his first (7 runs in 3.1 innings). According to the Eyeball Scout's last look, he got away with a number of pitches he shouldn't have. Here's to hoping he can put up a third consecutive quality start.
Bottom line on these pitchers:
If the trend from the first two games of the series continue into this one, it will be a hit-fest. Get ready for dingers-a-plenty and probably a correspondingly high number of strikeouts, because every A's hitter is apparently Jack Cust now.
If the team can put up a fight and even come close to taking 2 of 3 from the 'Stros on the road, we should all be happy campers.
Alonso is getting the day off after fouling a ball directly off his knee last night:
First pitch is at 11:10am!
