Game Thread #43: A’s vs. Astros

The Oakland A’s are in first place in their AL West division, but they’ll need to play well over the next few days to stay there. The second-place Houston Astros are in town for three games starting Tuesday, and they’re trailing by only a half-game in the standings.

This series will serve as a long-awaited rematch between these two rivals. They opened the season against each other and the Astros smashed the A’s four games in a row, part of a wretchedly bad start to the season, but Oakland bounced back and took two of three in the follow-up series in Houston.

Now they meet again. If the A’s can hold their own or even win the series, then it helps put that odd first week of April even further behind us, though of course nothing will be proven for sure for another several months.

Oakland puts lefty Sean Manaea on the mound. He’s coming off a disaster outing in Boston but always struggles at Fenway Park, so he can turn that rough game into an isolated blip if he gets back to normal tonight at the Coliseum. DH Mitch Moreland went on the 10-day injured list today.

A’s lineup (home)

1. LF Mark Canha (R)
2. RF Seth Brown (L)
3. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
4. 1B Matt Olson (L)
5. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
6. DH Jed Lowrie (S)
7. C Sean Murphy (R)
8. SS Chad Pinder (R)
9. 2B Tony Kemp (L)

• LHP Sean Manaea

Brownie in the No. 2 spot.

Astros lineup (away)

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

• RHP Cristian Javier

Let’s Go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Tuesday, May 18
• Time: 6:40 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