The Houston Astros (53-43, 49-47 RL, 47-47-2 O/U) battle the Oakland Athletics (27-71, 46-51 RL, 51-41-5 O/U) in the first of a four-game divisional series on Thursday evening. The Astros will send J.P. France to the mound. The Athletics will reply with Hogan Harris. The Astros lead the season series 3-0.
J.P. France will get the start to begin the series on Thursday evening. France wasn’t sharp in his previous start, conceding four runs (two earned) on nine hits in 4.1 innings against the Angels, and managed to exit with a no-decision. The rookie has helped an Astros pitching staff decimated with injuries and has recorded a solid 3.31 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP accompanied by a 4-3 record in 70.2 innings pitched on the season. This is his first career meeting against the A’s.
Houston earned a big series road win against the Angels last weekend, followed by one victory in two bouts in Colorado on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Astros are 5-5 in their last ten decisions and are 4.5 games out of first in the division. Houston stands in the last Wildcard spot. They are hoping to have Alvarez back next week or in early August.
A nother one. pic.twitter.com/HLhTaQaQfE
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 17, 2023
Alex Bregman has been inconsistent recently. The 29-year-old third baseman only has six RBIs and a subpar .693 OPS on the month. Bregman has 59 RBIs and a decent .740 OPS on the season. Bregman has been a tough out against the A’s, hitting .308 with five RBIs.
The Astros are scoring an average of 4.73 runs on the season, good for 10th. The pitching continues to shine and has a 3.79 team ERA, good for fifth.