ATHLETICS AT ASTROS
JUNE 27-29, 2017
What happened in the last series?
The Astros got less than 11 innings over 3 games from their starting pitchers. Naturally, they won 2 of 3.
Oakland recovered from their home sweep at the hands of the Astros by traveling to Chicago and sweeping the White Sox. No veterans were cut in the making of this sweep.
Schedule/probables
Tuesday, June 27 – 7:10 PM CDT
Manaea (6-4, 4.05) at Fiers (5-2, 3.81)
Starting pitchers with a lower ERA than Mike Fiers over the last month:
CC Sabathia, Max Scherzer, and Corey Klueber
That’s a pretty good list. Oh, and Fiers’ last start against Oakland was among those June starts – 6 innings, 3 hits, and 1 run. If he can do that again, he has a decent chance to be the AL Pitcher of the Month – and if you thought that was anywhere in the realm of possibility 30 days ago, then you’re in need of medical intervention for either mental illness, substance abuse, or both.
(Statcast note: lost among the lack of home runs is that Fiers’ ground ball rate has gone from 43.3% during his first 9 starts to 63.1% in his last 5 starts.)
Manaea has pitched well against the Astros, allowing 2 and 3 runs in his 2 starts this season, but the A’s have taken the loss in both games.
Wednesday, June 28 – 7:10 PM CDT
Hahn (3-5, 4.66) at Paulino (2-0, 5.04)
Things did not go well for Hahn during his last outing, against the Astros.
I’m sorry… things did not go well for Custer at Little Bighorn. Hahn, on the other hand, was a disaster: 10 runs allowed in 2 innings pitched. This leaves the Astros hitting just under .300 (20 for 67) against Hahn. Can Hahn beat the Astros by himself? The odds are approximately 3,720 to 1.
Paulino makes his second consecutive start against the A’s, and if he can give AJ Hinch the same as the first time (5 1/3, 3 runs) then he’ll probably consider it a success.
Thursday, June 29 – 1:10 PM CDT
Cotton (5-7, 5.02) at Peacock (4-1, 2.82)
The Astros missed Cotton during the last series, but the feeling was not mutual; Cotton had allowed 10 hits and 6 runs to the Good Guys back in April. The Astros have hit .295 against Jharel, so I think it’s safe to say they enjoy the look and feel of Cotton.
Peacock returns from paternity leave to post another turn against the A’s, after his 5 2/3 inning start in the last series. Another such start with only 1 run allowed would certainly be nice, and might help to ensure a continued place in the rotation while injuries continue to sort themselves out.