Game Thread #60: A’s vs. Astros

Today, the A’s seek to avoid a sweep at the hands of the AL West’s current standard bearers, the Houston Astros. To further raise the stakes, the A’s enter today right at .500 with a record of 29-29. The Astros will no doubt once again present a formidable challenge, with baseball’s current strikeout leader Gerrit Cole (5-5, 4.02 ERA) starting on the mound for the 2017 World Series champs. Today’s starting pitcher for the A’s is Chris Bassitt (3-1, 3.27 ERA), whose own strikeout total is fairly impressive: so far this season he’s fanned 47 in just 41.1 innings pitched. Bassitt has been great overall for Oakland this year, but he is coming off a rough start last Monday against the Angels, in which he allowed five runs in as many innings. Both Bassitt and the A’s aim to get back on track today. Let’s go, Oakland!

Today’s lineups: