Game Thread #44: A’s vs. Astros

What can these teams possibly do to top last night? The Oakland A’s and Houston Astros played an instant classic in their series opener on Tuesday at the Coliseum, resulting in a 6-5 walk-off win for the green-and-gold.

Now they’ll do it all again on Wednesday, or at least, they’ll play another nine innings. On the mound for the A’s is Frankie Montas, who was quality his last time out against the Twins and has been good in his last four straight appearances (also Rays twice and Blue Jays once). He’s faced Houston once this year, and delivered six quality innings of one-run ball.

The Astros send their ace, Zack Greinke. The former Cy Young winner is off to a slightly modest start thanks to a few extra homers, but he’s still dangerous and has pitched several gems already. The A’s couldn’t touch him in two 2019 starts, but in 2020 they hit a few dingers off him and won two of the three games he started against them.

A’s lineup (home)

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

• RHP Frankie Montas

Pinder gets a day in his optimal habitat, in the outfield.

Astros lineup (away)

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

• RHP Zack Greinke

Let’s Go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Wednesday, May 19
• 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