FILE – Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. watches during the second inning in Game 6 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies, in Houston, Nov. 5, 2022 (AP News file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The A’s are in Houston to start a three-game series against the World Champion Houstons starting Friday night. The Astros, managed by longtime fan-favorite Dusty Baker, are currently in second place in the AL West Division. They trail the Texas Rangers by two games.

Baker has had to juggle his starting rotation as the Astros lost the 2022 AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander to free agency. Verlander signed with the New York Mets for the 2023 season. Two other starting pitchers are currently on the IL. Lance McCullers is on the 15-day IL with a forearm issue, and Jose Urquiddy is on the 15-day IL with a shoulder problem.

The Astros’ starting rotation still has lefty Framber Valdez available to pitch. Valdez is 0-4 with a 3.09 ERA. Other starters are Cristian Javier (1-3, 2.93 ERA), Hunter Brown, J.P. France, and Brandon Bleak. The guys out in the bullpen are Ryan Montero, Hector Neris, Ryne Stanek, Phil Maton, and closer Ryan Pressley.

The Astros saw first baseman Yuli Guriel leave for the Miami Marlins. Guriel loved to torment the A’s pitchers. He was a great clutch hitter as a member of the Astros. Former Chicago White Sox first baseman and former AL MVP Jose Abreu replaced Guriel.

Abreu has yet to homer for Houston. In 42 games, he has driven in 17 runs. Many people are wondering if Abreu will be the answer at first base. The Astros’ All-Star second baseman, Jose Altuve, has been out with a thumb injury. A pitch hit Altuve, and he has not played a game in the regular season.

He may suit up for Friday night’s game against the A’s. Mauricio Dubon, a former San Francisco Giant, will be at second in place of Altuve. Third baseman Alex Bregman has had a slow start for the 2023 season. Bregman is hitting .217, with three home runs and nine ribbies. The Astros hope Bregman can get going against the woeful A’s pitching staff. Jeremy Pena will be at shortstop.

The Astros will be without the services of hit master Michael Brantley. Brantley underwent shoulder surgery last year. He suffered a setback in spring training, and it isn’t certain when he will return. Corey Julks is taking Brantley’s spot in left field. Chas McCormick will remain in center field, and Kyle Tucker is the right fielder. Tucker is another Astro that loves to feed off the A’s pitching staff. Yordan Alvarez is the Astros’ DH.

The A’s are off to the worst start in their storied history. The team was founded in 1901, and the 10-35 record has them on target to surpass the 120-loss season the New York Mets put up in 1962.

Even with the terrible record, the A’s have had some bright spots. Esteury Ruiz has played well in center field. Ruiz is a threat to steal a base anytime he gets on base. He is very good at the plate with runners in scoring position. Brent Rooker has been a huge surprise.

Rooker got a chance to play when Seth Brown was injured. He is making the most of his opportunity to play. Rooker is hitting a smidge under .300, has 11 homers, and over 30 RBIs. Catcher Carlos Perez has also hit well for the A’s. Catcher Shea Langeliers also gives the A’s a hitter with a lot of pop in his bat.

The A’s pitching staff, relievers, and starters have been a problem for A’s manager Mark Kotsay. The team’s collective ERA is about 7.50 runs per game. The team’s 10-35 record reflects the bad pitching.

The Astros have owned the A’s for three or four years. Oakland would love nothing better than turning the tables on the Astros. It’s highly unlikely, but as they say in baseball: ” you never know.”

Starting for Oakland on Friday left hander Ken Waldichuk (1-2 ERA 7.02) going for Houston Brandon Bielak (0-1 ERA 3.29) first pitch 5:10pm PT.