Game Preview
There were no assurances of victory for the Houston Astros, even though their schedule for the next two weeks seemed ideal. At least that much was clear on Monday.
The Astros, who had won 10 of 14 games thanks to their high-scoring offense, lost the first of nine games in a row to the majors’ two weakest clubs (the Athletics, 45-99) and the Kansas City Royals, 4-0.
Over their last 10 victories, the Astros have scored an average of 11 runs per game. This has propelled them to the top of the American League West.
When rookie right-hander Mason Miller and big-game reliever Ken Waldichuk held Houston to one hit over eight innings for the Athletics, they lost ground in the division. After Miller’s two innings of fire, in which he threw 11 pitches at 100 mph or faster, Waldichuk threw six innings of hitless relief.
On Tuesday, the Astros will send out Justin Verlander (11-7, 3.23 ERA) to the mound. Following his poorest start since joining Houston at the trade deadline, the 40-year-old right-hander limited the Texas Rangers to two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts over seven innings of Wednesday’s 12-3 road victory.
On September 16, 2022, Verlander started for Houston and pitched five scoreless innings against Oakland, allowing just one walk and striking out nine batters. Houston won the game 5-0.
On Tuesday, Oakland will send out JP Sears, who has a record of 4-11 with a 4.51 ERA. This will be the left-hander’s 29th start of the season, making him the lone pitcher to appear in every game for Oakland. While Sears is 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA in two starts this month, he has allowed 31 home runs, tied for seventh most in the majors, and has hit a major league-high 15 hitters.
In three career appearances (two starts), Sears has a 5.52 ERA versus the Astros. In 11 2/3 innings against Houston this year, he has allowed seven runs on thirteen hits, two walks, and eight strikeouts.
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Oakland Athletics vs Houston Astros Game Information
- Date: 09/12/2023
- Time: 08:10 PM ET
- Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas.
- How to Watch: Athletics vs Astros MLB.TV
- Live Stream: MLB.TV
