Game Thread #155: A’s vs. Astros

The Oakland A’s are playing out the string for the rest of the 2021 season, and last night they had some fun with it as they pounded the division-leading Houston Astros in a 14-2 blowout. They’ll give it another go Saturday afternoon.

On the mound for the A’s is Sean Manaea. The lefty has been mediocre his last couple times out, but in four appearances against the Astros this year he’s been quality three times. Most recently, in July, he pitched into the 7th inning and allowed four runs, but only three were earned.

Oakland has only seen Framber Valdez once this year, back in July, and they roughed him up. In five innings they plated six runs, five of them earned, including two different RBI plays by Matt Olson (a single and a groundout).

In the lineup, Chad Pinder bats cleanup for just the third time this year. He’s having a hot September, batting .342 (13-for-38) with a .912 OPS, and he has 10 RBI in 14 games including a pinch-hit grand slam last night. In his career, he’s 3-for-8 against the lefty Valdez.

A’s lineup (home)

1. 2B Josh Harrison (R)
2. CF Starling Marte (R)
3. 1B Matt Olson (L)
4. RF Chad Pinder (R)
5. LF Mark Canha (R)
6. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
7. DH Khris Davis (R)
8. C Sean Murphy (R)
9. SS Elvis Andrus (R)

• LHP Sean Manaea

Davis gets a start at DH.

Astros lineup (away)

1. 2B Jose Altuve (R)
2. 3B Alex Bregman (R)
3. DH Yordan Alvarez (L)
4. SS Carlos Correa (R)
5. RF Kyle Tucker (L)
6. 1B Marwin Gonzalez (S)
7. LF Jake Meyers (R)
8. CF Jose Siri (R)
9. C Martin Maldonado (R)

• LHP Framber Valdez

Let’s go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Saturday, September 25
• Time: 1:07 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