Game Thread #26: A’s at Astros

Happy Friday!

So I’m not going to lie. It was not without a tiny sense of relief for me that the A’s lost a sloppy game Wednesday night to a bad team. Not because they lost, but rather because they lost on a Wednesday, and this Friday night’s game was not up against a five-game winning streak; last Friday already ruined a four-game one. It’s been an interesting few weeks; the A’s have won games, quite literally, every other day of the week except Fridays.

You know when you break up with someone and you say, “It’s not you, it’s me?” The A’s have tried on for size, “It’s not us, it’s Kendall Graveman” as our Opening Day starter was shuttled down to Triple-A, barely four weeks after the season opener. And don’t get me wrong, it’s completely the right call, as he has consistently been the weak link in the chain of the A’s starting rotation.

The one absolutely amazing part of the A’s rotation so far this young season has been Sean Manaea, right from his first start of the year, the one Friday night I was in-person and not behind the computer screen (don’t worry, they still lost a pitcher’s duel). Manaea is starting again for me tonight; however, unlike Graveman’s easy Wednesday night assignment against Texas, this one is stacked against Manaea in his first start following the no-hitter. He will go up against Dallas Keuchel and the Houston Astros.

However, I’d like to point out that last Friday night, even after another horrible loss, I said, “Manaea starts tomorrow. Here’s to hoping” and he threw a no-hitter against the Red Sox.

So, here’s to hoping.

Here is your rally toddler picture in a desperate attempt to save a Friday night.

And your lineups:

LET’S GO OAK-LAND!