Game Thread #162: A’s at Astros

This is it, folks. We’ve reached the final game the 2021 season. There will be no postseason for the Oakland A’s, so this is it for the year. No more A’s baseball until next spring.

On the mound is Cole Irvin, wrapping up a breakout summer for the left-hander. Entering the year he had 45 career innings in the majors, but today he makes his 32nd start of 2021, a full-season MLB workload. His numbers tailed off over the past month or two, and last time out he allowed five runs in three innings against the Mariners, but his 4.18 ERA is around league-average and it’s backed up by solid peripherals.

In the lineup, Oakland empties its bench and lets some kids play. Outfield prospects Skye Bolt and Luis Barrera each get to start, while veteran Pete Kozma takes shortstop for the third straight day, and outfielder Seth Brown takes a turn at his alternate position of first base.

One goal to watch for is whether Matt Olson can hit his 40th homer.

A’s lineup (away)

1. 2B Tony Kemp (L)
2. LF Mark Canha (R)
3. DH Matt Olson (L)
4. 3B Chad Pinder (R)
5. 1B Seth Brown (L)
6. C Yan Gomes (R)
7. CF Skye Bolt (S)
8. RF Luis Barrera (L)
9. SS Pete Kozma (R)

• LHP Cole Irvin

Bench Appreciation Day.

Astros lineup (home)

1. 2B Jose Altuve (R)
2. LF Michael Brantley (L)
3. SS Carlos Correa (R)
4. RF Kyle Tucker (L)
5. 3B Aledmys Diaz (R)
6. CF Chas McCormick (R)
7. 1B Marwin Gonzalez (S)
8. DH Jake Meyers (R)
9. C Martin Maldonado (R)

• RHP Jose Urquidy

Let’s go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Sunday, October 3
• Time: 12:10 p.m. PT
• TV (local): NBC Sports California
• Radio: 960 AM (more listings here)
• Streaming (watch): NBCS website (with cable sub)
• Streaming (listen): A’s Cast