Game Thread #132: A’s at Astros

Brett Anderson will take the mound for the A’s, coming off his best two starts off the year. Two outings ago, he went 7.2 innings, giving up zero runs on five hits, striking out two. He followed that up with a 1 hit, 0 run, 6 strikeout, 7 inning performance. Not too shabby, and he’s the owner of a 0.68 ERA in August

Gerrit Cole is starting for the Astros. He’s coming off a 5-inning, 3-run (2 earned) start, where he walked 2 and struck out 7. While he’s undoubtedly been good this year, his second half hasn’t been quite as stellar as the first. Since June 13th, coincidentally his last start in Oakland. he’s 4-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 13 outings. Not saying he’s spiraling downward, but he’s not invincible.

Ramon Laureano gets will get a start in centerfield as the game gets underway at 5:10!