Game Thread #8: A's at Astros

The 1-6 Oakland A's look to build a winning streak against the Houston Astros!

The A's launch their first road trip of 2021 with a trip to Houston to face their top division rival. It's a chance for quick revenge after the Astros swept Oakland at the Coliseum to open the season, in humiliatingly thorough fashion over four blowout games.

The A's turn to Cole Irvin to make his second start. The lefty got roughed up by Houston in his debut Saturday, which was also his first appearance in green and gold after being acquired in a trade over the winter. The Astros respond with righty Cristian Javier.

Oakland gets back a critical bat as Matt Olson returns to the lineup, as the DH. He missed a couple games with a knee contusion after sliding for a foul ball, and will get a break from first base defense in his initial game back. The only position player still sitting out due to injury is super-sub Chad Pinder, who is on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left knee.

A’s lineup (away)

1. LF Mark Canha (R)
2. DH Matt Olson (L)
3. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
4. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
5. 1B Mitch Moreland (L)
6. C Sean Murphy (R)
7. RF Seth Brown (L)
8. SS Elvis Andrus (R)
9. 2B Tony Kemp (L)

• LHP Cole Irvin

Brown gets his second start.

Astros lineup (home)

1. 2B Jose Altuve (R)
2. LF Michael Brantley (L)
3. 3B Alex Bregman (R)
4. DH Yordan Alvarez (L)
5. SS Carlos Correa (R)
6. 1B Yuli Gurriel (R)
7. RF Kyle Tucker (L)
8. CF Myles Straw (R)
9. C Jason Castro (L)

• RHP Cristian Javier

Let’s Go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Thursday, April 8
• Time: 5:10 p.m. PT
• TV (local): NBC Sports California
• Radio: 960 AM (more listings here)
• Streaming (listen): A’s Cast