This morning, the Athletics will try to avoid being swept by the Houston Astros, who have dominated the first two games of this three-game set. After taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs, the A’s have struggled in Houston, allowing plenty of runs while producing little offense of their own.
Looking to snap a three-game losing streak, the A’s will send left-hander Gage Jump to the mound for his third MLB start. Through his first two outings, the 23-year-old top prospect has gone 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA and 10 strikeouts over 12 innings pitched. In his last start, Jump showcased why the team thinks so highly of him, limiting the Cubs to one run on three hits over seven sparkling innings, picking up his first MLB win.
Following back-t0-back disappointing performances from A’s starting pitchers, the team will be counting on Jump to build off his last outing and provide a second straight quality start against an Astros lineup that has consistently scored runs throughout the series.
The A’s lineup for today’s series-finale:
Looking to shake things up and provide a boost to the offense, first baseman Nick Kurtz is back atop the Athletics’ lineup, while right fielder Carlos Cortes has been dropped to second in the order. Catcher Shea Langeliers will be behind the plate for a third straight game.
If the A’s want to leave Houston with a win, the team will need contributions from the bottom half of the starting nine. Henry Bolte is on the bench, while the struggling Lawrence Butler gets the start in center field. Butler has endured a difficult stretch and will be looking to capitalize on another opportunity to get back on track.
The A’s will also need offensive production from second baseman Jeff McNeil and shortstop Alika Williams, who is getting the start in place of Darell Hernáiz. Generating offense from those spots could be a key factor in the team’s chances of securing a victory.
The A’s offense will face Astros’ right-hander Mike Burrows, who looks to secure the sweep for the hosts. The 26-year-old has struggled with inconsistency through his first dozen starts with the Astros. Burrows enters his 13th start with a 3-7 record, a 5.66 ERA, a 1.54 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings pitched. He took the loss in his last start against his former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing five runs on eight hits and five walks over five innings.
Burrows has faced the A’s once before, tossing four scoreless innings as a member of the Pirates last September. The Athletics will look to find more success against the right-hander this morning. A’s hitters must work counts, use ABS challenges wisely and punish hittable pitches left over the plate.
And Houston’s starting nine:
The Astros’ lineup is a touch weaker today with second baseman Jose Altuve not in the starting nine. However, Jump must still pitch carefully, especially when facing designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, who hit a grand slam yesterday to move into the American League lead with 22 home runs and 48 RBIs.
Time to get back into the win column. Let’s go A’s!
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