Game Thread #89: A’s at Astros

Third time’s the charm? Or 13th time at this point? The Oakland A’s are 3-9 against the Houston Astros this year, and if they don’t win the series finale this afternoon at Minute Maid Park then they will lose the SEASON SERIES to their top AL West division rival before the All-Star break. Yikes.

The A’s look to Frankie Montas to lead them to that victory. The right-hander has faced Houston twice this year and was good both times, and even beat them once! In total he threw 11 innings and allowed three runs in that pair of games. In his most recent effort, against the Red Sox, he came one out shy of a quality start against another top AL opponent.

The lineup is now without Chad Pinder, who went on the injured list this morning with a strained hamstring. Infielder Jacob Wilson was called up from Triple-A but is not starting today.

A’s lineup (away)

1. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
2. SS Elvis Andrus (R)
3. 1B Matt Olson (L)
4. DH Jed Lowrie (S)
5. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
6. RF Stephen Piscotty (R)
7. LF Seth Brown (L)
8. 2B Tony Kemp (L)
9. C Aramis Garcia (R)

• RHP Chris Bassitt

Laureano is 7-for-51 (.137 average, .241 OBP) over last 13 games, natural choice for leadoff hitter.

Astros lineup (home)

1. 2B Jose Altuve (R)
2. LF Michael Brantley (L)
3. SS Carlos Correa (R)
4. DH Yordan Alvarez (L)
5. 1B Yuli Gurriel (R)
6. RF Kyle Tucker (L)
7. CF Chas McCormick (R)
8. 3B Abraham Toro (S)
9. C Martin Maldonado (R)

• RHP Lance McCullers Jr

How To Watch

• Date: Thursday, July 8
• Time: 11:10 a.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