Category: Oakland Athletics

A’s rally for four runs in 11th to beat Rangers 8-4

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Oakland A’s Stephen Piscotty (left) and Jed Lowrie (right) forearm bash after Piscotty’s two run home run in the top of the 11th at Globe Life Park in Arlington Sat Jul 10, 2021 (AP News photo)

A’s Win Marathon Against Rangers 8-4

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the Oakland A’s took on the Texas Rangers in game two of their series. In game one the A’s suffered a meltdown in the sixth inning after leading 2-0 failing to score again in the game losing 3-2.

They will attempt to get back on the winning track in this second game with James Kaprielian on the mound. The Rangers started Mike Foltynewicz.

The A’s came up empty in the first inning of this game but such was not the case for the Rangers. They hit two solo home runs, one by Gallo and a second by Garcia for a 2-0 lead.

The A’s answered in the second inning with two home runs of their own. Sean Murphy hit a solo homer and Seth Brown hit a second home run to tie up the game at 2-2. It was a sight for sore eyes to see those long shots once agains.

Oakland’s Deolis Guerra came into the sixth inning to relieve Kaprielien with the A’s still in the lead 3-2. James had completed six innings to qualify for the win. The seventh inning for Oakland was a 7 pitch appearance by Yusmeiro Petit and it was on to the eighth inning.

The eighth inning was a tough one for Diekman who allowed a Jonas Heim single and two walks. The Heim single brought in White to tie up the game 3-3. Lou Trivino would close out the inning keeping the damage to a minimum.

After a non-productive ninth inning the game would go into extra innings and a marathon would ensue. The A’s would take the lead in the tenth inning 4-3 when Sean Murphy scored and Oakland would try to hang onto the slim lead. The Rangers were stubborn and tied the game once again 4-4.

The eleventh inning was golden for Oakland. The hits started coming. Olson walked, Lowrie singled and Andrus scored. Olson scored on a wild pitch, the score now 6-4. The A’s sealed the deal with a Stephen Piscotti home run bringing in Lowrie and extending their lead 8-4. Oakland fought hard in this game and it paid off handsomely. The highlights of this game were the four home runs by Murphy, Brown, Lowrie and Piscotti.

While kudos to the team for staying in this game there were still some disappointing performances. The defense as always was solid but Andrus, Olson, Chapman, Bolt and Kemp did not have a single hit all day. Hopefully they will show up for tomorrow’s game to win the series. While it is not uncommon for players to have a slow game, it is curious that all five of these guys couldn’t manage a single hit. Tomorrow is a new day and a chance for another win.

First pitch in tomorrow’s game is scheduled for 11:35.

A’s lose to Texas despite early lead 3-2

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Oakland A’s pitcher Cole Irvin gives up the ball to A’s manager Bob Melvin in the sixth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Fri Jul 9, 2021 (AP News photo)

A’s Lose to Texas Despite Early Lead 3-2

By Barbara Mason

Once again we saw the Oakland A’s build an early lead only to watch it disappear into a losing effort. It is happening far too often resulting in losing series. They had early leads in their series against the Houston Astros losing two of the three games. This team is really struggling right now.

Tonight the A’s seemed to have the game in hand. Cole Irvin had a nice start through five innings but it was the sixth inning that was his undoing. The Rangers Adolis Garcia hit a two-run single pushing Texas past Oakland 3-2. The early hits that the A’s had shut down after the sixth inning. What is even worse is the fact that the Astros lost to the Yankees. A lost opportunity to gain ground in the standings.

Where have the bats gone for Oakland? It has gone back to the same old pattern with a hit here, a hit there. There were no home runs for Oakland in this game and so that has gone stale. There just seems to be something about the Texas Rangers that has the A’s stymied. The Rangers have had their number all season and show no signs of letting up.

The beautiful start that Cole Irvin had through five innings crashed and burned when he allowed three runs in the sixth inning. That was all that the Rangers would need to secure this game. The A’s had the bases loaded in the seventh inning but could not take advantage of it.

The eighth and ninth innings were three up and three down for the Rangers The A’s just could not get a thing going. They will be taking on the Rangers tomorrow in game two hoping to turn this thing around. If they hope to get back into contention something has to change. The defense had a nice game with a number of double plays but ti was the offense that let the team down once agains.

First pitch in Texas will be 1:05 tomorrow afternoon.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Montas’ pitching sets tone for A’s going into Texas; Irvin gets the start for A’s against Rangers tonight

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Oakland A’s starter Cole Irvin will start for the A’s in Texas against the Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Fri Jul 9, 2021 (file photo from Athletics Nation)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Oakland A’s pitcher Frankie Montas pitched 6.2 innings five hits and one run quite a line against one of the best hitting line ups in the American League the Houston Astros.

#2 Jeremiah, Montas picked up his seventh win of the season against seven loses this one was a gem he really had good command and it set the tone for the team coming out of a tough place like Houston.

#3 Jeremiah, let’s talk about Montas’ strike outs he struck out ten hitters and when you strike out ten Astro hitters he got the right signals and had his velocity working.

#4 Jeremiah, real quickly on the new ball park issue side of things it was reported that the Oakland City Council was presented the entire Howard Terminal ballpark package one of the sticking points of the package was when it came to infrastructure of the tune of a $12 billion neighborhood redo the city council didn’t see any affordable housing in the A’s new residential or condos could that be a sticking point for city council vote or will David Kaval and the A’s work something out with that regard.

#5 Starting pitchers for Friday night’s game in Texas for the A’s Cole Irvin (6-7 ERA 3.56) for the Rangers Jordan Lyles (4-5 ERA 4.98) a 5:05 pm (PDT) first pitch

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Frankie Montas’ superb outing propels A’s to win over Astros 2-1

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Oakland A’s starter Frankie Montas delivers against the Houston Astros in the first inning of Thu Jul 8, 2021 game at Minute Maid Field (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s (50-39) needed their starter to find a way to stop the powerful Houston Astros’ (54-34) offense. Houston had won the first two games of the three-game series and increased their leas to 5 and 1/2 games over the A’s. Had the Astros won, they would have increased their lead to six and 1/2 games.

A’s manager Bob Melvin handed the ball to Frankie Montas to expect that Montas would shut down the Astros’ attack. Montas responded with, perhaps, his best performance of the season. Montas went six and 2/3rds innings, allowing the Astros one run and five. He struck out ten and walked one, as he won his eighth game of the year, leading the A’s to a 2-1 win.

The A’s scored all the runs they would need in the first inning. With one out, Elvis Andrus doubled. Astros’ starter, Lance McCullers, Jr. uncorked a wild pitch to send Andrus to third. Matt Olson doubled to drive in Andrus with the A’s first run. Jed Lowrie singled to drive in Olson to give the A’s the lead 2-0.

Montas had all four of his pitches working. He painted the corners with his four-seam fastball. He had command of his slider, splitter, and changeup. He was moving the ball up and down in the zone. He threw 95 pitches, and 71 were strikes. He struck out the side in the first and second innings.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Astros finally put a run on the board. Montas recorded the first two outs. Astros’ right-fielder, Kyle Tucker, doubled to start the Astro rally. He went to third on a wild pitch. Astros’ centerfielder, Chas McCormick, followed with a double to drive in Tucker with Houston’s first run. A’s manager, Bob Melvin, brought in Yusmeiro Petit to pitch to Abraham Toro. Petite got Toro to ground out to end the inning. 

Lou Trivino pitched the eighth for Oakland. Trivino walked Jason Castro to start the frame. A’s fans got a little nervous as they know the cardinal sin for any reliever is to walk the first man he faced in the inning. Trivino now had the unenviable task of facing the Astros’ three best hitters. Trivino was not fazed at all.

He got Jose Altuve to hit into a fielder’s choice, Michale Brantley to fly out to right, and Carlos Correa hit a popup to Tony Kemp at second base. Bob Melvin had Jake Diekman pitch the ninth. Diekman gave up a single to Yordano Alvarez to start the bottom of the ninth.

He got the next hitter, Yuli Guriel, to hit into a 6-4-3 double play. He retired Kyle Tucker on a soft line to Tony Kemp to preserve to win for Oakland. The A’s win a very close game 2-1.

Game Notes and Stats- with the win, the A’s are 50-39 for the years and are 4 1/2 games back of the first-place Astros. Houston is now 54-34. The line for Oakland was two runs, eight hits, and no errors. Houston’s line was one run, six hits, and one error.

The A’s pitching did an excellent job of holding down the Houston offense. Houston has averaged 5.5 runs per game so far this season.

The A’s are 4-9 against Houston this year. In all four victories, A’s pitchers have held the Houston Offense to less than six runs. The Astros have scored six or more runs in eight of the nine wins against Oakland.

Ramon Laureano, Elvis Andrus, and Jed Lowrie each had two hits on Thursday. Frankie Montas improved to 8-7. Lou Trivino earned a hold, and Jake Diekman recorded his seventh save of the season.

The first four hitters in the Astro Lineup were one-for sixteen against the A’s. Yordano Alvarez’s single in the ninth was the only hit. Bob Melvin commented after the game about Montas’ performance. It applied to all four of the A’s pitchers:”Every pitch meant something.”

Injury update: Chad Pinder was placed on the 10-day IL. Pinder injured his right hamstring running to first base on the last play of Wednesday night’s game. After running across the base, he grabbed the back of his leg as he fell to the ground. The A’s do not know how much time Pinder will need to recover.

The time of Thursday’s game was 2:52. 29,243 fans did not see their Astros win.

The A’s are on their way to Arlington, Texas, to play a three-game series with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are 4-3 against the A’s this year. Hopefully, the momentum for Thursday’s win will continue for the A’s this weekend. After the series, the A’s are off until July 16th. They will resume play after the annual All-Star game break against the Cleveland Indians at the Coliseum.

The pitching matchups for the series will see lefty Cole Irvin go for Oakland Friday night. Texas will send Jordan Lyles to the hill. On Saturday, it will be James Kaprielian going against Mike Folynewicz. Folty has been tough on the A’s in the two games he has pitched for the Rangers. On Sunday, Chriss Bassitt will be on the mound for the A’s, and Texas will counter with lefty Kolb Allard.

Friday night’s game at Globe Life Stadium will begin at 5:05 pm.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Canha feeling better and Moreland will be out longer

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The Matts at Bats Matt Olson (28) and Matt Chapman (right) jump for joy over after Olson hit a first inning home run against the Texas Rangers Tue Jun 29, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, talk about how amazing it is at the thought that A’s outfielder Mark Canha could be back to work by this weekend for the Texas Rangers series.

#2 Jerry, the report is there is no structural damage on his left hip, Canha was on the Injured List and did have tendinitis. Canha has hurt that same hip before.

#3 A’s designated hitter Mitch Moreland is out for undisclosed reasons and is expected out until the All Star Break. It was reported that he is out for a no related baseball issue.

#4 Matt Olson will be taking his cuts at the All Star game in the home run derby Olson has 83 hits and 20 home runs and is hitting .283

#5 The Coliseum site is up for grabs with such groups as the African American Sports and Entertainment Group, Tripp Development, Dave Stewart and Lonnie Murray, the Renaissance Companies and the A’s. The Oakland City Council is waiting to see what happens with the A’s vote at Howard Terminal. If it’s a thumbs down for Howard Terminal the A’s will leave for Las Vegas. The other groups will bid on the property to develop. Talk has it that the WNBA and indoor arena football are interested in coming to the Coliseum Arena.

Join Jerry for the A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Two Astro home runs sink A’s 4-3

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Houston Astros Jose Altuve reaches down and up to hit a third inning three run home run against the Oakland A’s at Minute Maid Field on Wed Jul 7, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Houston Astros (54-33) continued to torment the Oakland A’s (49-39) as they beat the Green and Gold 4-3. The Astros and A’s have met 12 times so far this season. The Astros have won nine. The storyline shows two teams going in different directions. The A’s have lost twelve of their last 18 games.

The Astros are 13-5. The A’s were in first place with a 2-game lead over Houston before things went south. They now trail Houston by five and 1.2 games. The A’s can get back on course with a win Thursday afternoon in Houston.

The A’s grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. A’s first baseman, Matt Olson, blasted a 398-foot blast into the seats in the right field with two out. It was Olson’s 21st big fly of the year.

A’s starter, Sean Manaea, retired the first six Astro hitters he faced. Things went sour in the bottom of the third. Astros’ third baseman reached on A’s third baseman Chad Pinder’s throwing error. Toro went to second on the error.

The next hitter, Myles Straw, singled, sending Toro to third. Manaea struck out Martin Maldonado for the first out. Unfortunately for Manaea, he had to face the ever-dangerous Jose Altuve. Altuve sent Manaea’s pitch off the wall in the back of the Crawford Boxes to propel Houston to a 3-1 lead. Michael Brantley followed with a single. Manaea then retired the next eleven Astro hitters.

Houston’s manager, Dusty Baker, did not allow his starter, Luis Garcia, to pitch the sixth inning. Garcia’s high pitch count was the reason he did not come out to start the sixth. Baker selected righty Christian Javier to face Oakland in the sixth.

A’s shortstop Elvis Andrus hit his second home run of the year with a blast into the left-field seats. Javier then walked Matt Olson. Ramon Laureano singled, Olson stopped at second. Jed Lowrie also singled to load the bases with no out.

With Sean Murphy hitting, Javier uncorked a wild pitch allowing Olson to score on the play. Laureano and Lowrie advanced to second and third. The next play turned out to be one of the key plays in the game. Murphy sent a ball left field that Michael Brantley caught.

A’s third base, Mark Kotsay, had Laureano tagged up and tried to score. Brantley’s throw home nailed Laureano to complete the double play. Stephen Piscotty struck out to end the inning. The good news was the A’s tied the game 3-3.

A’s manager Bob Melvin sent Manaea out to pitch the seventh. He retired Carlos Correa for the first out. The next hitter was right fielder Kyle Tucker. Tucker hit his 14th dinger of the year to put the Astros ahead 4-3.

Astros’ relievers, Ryne Stanek and Ryan Pressly, each set the A’s down 1-2-3 in the eighth and ninth innings to preserve Houston’s 4-3 win.

Game Notes and Stats- With the loss, the A’s are 49-39 for the season. They trail the Astros by 5/12 games. Houston’s record is 54-33.
The A’s line was three runs, five hits, and two errors. Houston’s line was four runs, four hits, and two errors.

Sean Manaea absorbed the loss. His record is now 6-6 for the year. Manaea went six and 2/3rds innings. He allowed four runs, one of which was unearned, and four hits. Two of the hits were home runs. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

Chad Pinder appeared to injure his right leg on the last play of the game. The extent of the injury is not known at the time of this report.

The A’s meet the Astros Thursday afternoon in Houston. The game will start at 10:30 pm Pacific Daylight time.

The game lasted two hours and fifty-nine minutes. Twenty-one thousand one hundred fifty people witnessed the Astros beat the A’s for the ninth time this season

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Oakland A’s Mid-Season Report-What do they need

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Oakland A’s outfielder Mark Canha who is out with a hip injury will take a much needed rest during the All Star Break next to prepare for the second half of the season (file photo from Athletics Nation)

Oakland Athletics Mid-Season Report – What do they need

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

There used to be a saying that the teams who are in first place by the 4th of July are the ones that are going to win the World Series. That might have been proven as the norm years ago, but today with 30 teams on six divisions, the playoffs and the Wild Card, is not that simple and more difficult than ever to reach the World Series.

You do not have to win your Division to make it deep in October. As a matter of fact these wild card teams all have won the World Series: the Florida Marlins in 1997 and 2003, the Los Angeles Angels, in 2002, the Boston Red Sox, in 2004, the St Louis Cardinals, in 2011; the San Francisco Giants, in 2014 and the Washington Nationals, in 2019

However, to be on first place come Independence Day is not an impediment, but an advantage with some 80 games; those teams have over a 60% probability of making the postseason.

The Oakland A’s ended their home schedule of the first half Sunday July 4, and lost 1-0 to the Boston Red Sox. They lost the three game series against the Red Sox, who left Oakland with 53 wins in first place and are one of the surprises of this 2021 season, under general manager Alex Cora is the first and only Puerto Rican manager to win a World Series, in 2018 for the Red Sox.

The Red Sox looked like a better team that the A’s. However, prior to that series, the Texas Rangers came to Oakland and they took two out of three from the Athletics. The Rangers are not a better team than the A’s.

The Athletics are missing their leadoff hitter Mark Canha; he was their offensive catalyst during the first half of the season as their steady hitter at the top of the lineup, hopefully he will be back soon. A’s first baseman Matt Olson having his best season to date was selected as a reserve to the All-Star Game this July 13 at Coors Field, in Denver.

The announcement was made in the press box during the game Sunday as we were broadcasting. This was not a surprise. Olson leads the A’s in most offensive categories, with a .283 average, 20 home runs and 53 runs batted-in; no other Athletic player is remotely closely to the Gold Glove first-baseman. Another player for the A’s that has All Star numbers is right handed starter Chris Bassitt with 9-2 and a 3.04 earned run average.

The Athletics are headed for Houston against the Astros and then Arlington, against the Rangers. The ‘Texas two-step. The A’S will then recess for the All Star Break. After Sunday’s game at the Coliseum the A’S were in second place 3 1/2 games behind the hot Houston Astros.

This road trip for the Oakland team is a key one as they head to the break and get ready for the second half. A’S pitching has not been the problem, even though they started the year without Mike Fiers and then lost Jesús Luzardo to a hand injury (healed now) he sustained while playing a video game and on a violent reaction when he hit the table with his hand.

Their good pitching and good defense have kept the A’S with a record of 49-37 which a chance to re-capture first place this week while in Texas. They have to come home for the first game of the second half the 16 June vs. Cleveland with a better road trip than the last one which they won 4 and lost 6 games.

What do they need? First and foremost they have to improve their offense. Matt Chapman is the best all-around player on the team, but the Gold Glove third-baseman is having an under-achieving season, he is hitting .229 with 11 homers and 42 runs batted in, he should have much better numbers, like closer to 20 home runs and 50 RBI.

Ramón Laureano, one of the best defensive center-fielders in baseball is also having a subpar season at the plate. Elvis Andrus was acquired to play shortstop when Marcus Semien was not signed with the team and left for Toronto, Semien will be the starting second-baseman for the American League in the All Star Game. Andrus is a great defender with the glove but no comparison offensively to ex-A’S Semien in the infield.

The A’s were the only team in the American League that did not have a homerun from the shortstop position until Elvis hit one on July 2. Olson is the man, having a season where he could hit 40 to 50 homeruns and drive in 100 or more runs. Houston is one of the best (many believe the best) offensive team in the league. The trade deadline is at the end of the month.

The Twins are out of it this season and DH extraordinaire Nelson Cruz could make a nice addition into this line-up at the Coliseum. The 41 year old Dominican player still packs a punch, is healthy and he could help the A’S. Cruz is one of the true sluggers of the game with 435 home runs, and the A’s do not have to break the bank to bring him to the bay.

Nelson Cruz could hit the ball out of any park in baseball. Cruz is hitting .306 with 18 home-runs and 45 RBI; his bat will help the A’s. Mitch Moreland, whom the A’s acquired to be their DH (and currently on the injured list) is hitting .238 with 6 home runs and 22 RBI.

The A’s always trade to improve their team if they are in the race and they are in the race. The best two teams in the AL West are the Astros and the Athletics. This six-game road trip is a test for the A’s and its results could hinge in what adjustments they make in player personal. Regardless of results. they might have to shake-up the roster and make some moves as they try to repeat as Western Division champion.

Talking about trades: In June 1989, the Oakland A’s brought back Rickey Henderson from the Yankees, as they went on to win their fourth World Series in Oakland. Remember that?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer on the A’s flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Astros storm back to down A’s 9-6; Alvarez goes yard twice

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The Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez who hit two home runs hits a three run homer in the fifth inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Tue Jul 6, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s (49-38) opened the three-game set with the Houston Astros (53-33) Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park. The A’s sent their ace, Chris Bassitt, to the mound hoping Bassitt could find a way to slow down the potent Astro offense.

It was not an easy task as the Astros lead the AL in runs, team batting average(.273), and OPS (.794). The Astros are fourth in the league with 109 homers. The Astros are patient hitters and get lots of walks. They don’t strike out much either.

The Astros’ Michael Brantley l is the best hitter in the AL with a .340 batting average. Yuli Guriel, hitting behind Brantley, entered the game with a .322 average. Bassitt did not find the way; the Astros came back from an early 6-2 deficit to win 9-6.

The A’s plated three runs in the top of the first. Oakland greeted Astros’ starter Framber Valdez with five hits to get off to a great start. The Astros answered with two in their half of the first. With one out, Bassitt walked Michael Brantley. He retired Guriel for the second out. He did not get by Yordano Alvarez. The big guy blasted his 15th of the year to make it 3-2.

The A’s put three more on the board in the second. Three hits and a throwing error by Astros’ catcher Martin Maldonado gave the A’s a 6-2 lead midway through the second inning.

Alvarez led off the bottom of the fourth with a single. Third baseman Abraham Toro singled, sending Alvarez to second. Myles Straw singled to drive in Alvarez with Houston’s third run. The A’s led 6-3 after four complete. Things went south for Bassitt in the bottom of the fifth.

Astros’ second baseman, Jose Altuve, doubled. Altuve went to third on a Guli Guriel single. Bassitt now had to face Alvarez again, Alvarez hit his second dinger of the night into the Crawford Boxes in left field to tie the game at 6-6. Alvarez had driven in five of the Astros’ six runs.

The Astros scored three more times in the sixth. Three singles and two put the runs on the board for Houston. The Astros had scored seven unanswered runs to lead 9-6.

The Astros bullpen held the A’s to three singles and no runs after the second inning. The Astros win 9-6.

Game Notes and stats- With the loss, the A’s are 49-38. They are now 4 and 1/2 games behind the Astros. The Astros improved to 53-33.

Elvis Andrus had a double, two singles, and an RBI to lead the Oakland offense. Ramon Laureano and Jed Lowrie each had two hits.

Yordano Alvarez was the hitting star for Houston. Alvarez had three hits, including two home runs. He had five RBIs. Abraham Toro and Myles Straw each had two hits.
The time of the game was three hours and sixteen minutes. Twenty-six thousand three hundred fifty-three fans watched their Astros win.

A’s manager will send Sean Manaea to the hill to pitch for Oakland. The big left is 6-5 with a 3.13 ERA. Astros’ manager Dusty Baker will counter with righty Luis Garcia. Garcia’s numbers are very similar to Manaea’s. Garcia is 6-5 with a 3.14 ERA.

The game will start at 5:10 pm.

Preview of the A’s series with the Houston Astros

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Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt whose been on a role starts for the A’s on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Field in Houston (AP file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s are on their way to the state of Texas to face the Astros and Rangers. The three-game series with Houston begins on Tuesday at 5:05 pm from Minute Maid Park. The A’s then go to Arlington for three more before the annual All-Star Game.

The A’s are having a hard time winning baseball games these days. They have lost ten of the last sixteen played. They lost series to the Yankees, Giants, Rangers, and Red Sox The A’s fell to second place in the AL West, 3and 1/2 games behind Houston.

They lost two out of three to Boston last weekend. All three games were decided by one run. The A’ lost 3-2 in ten on Friday night, won 7-6 in 12 on Saturday and lost a heartbreaker 1-0 Sunday. The A’s have had their chances but have not been able to get hits when needed to get the runs needed to win on the board.

They have a chance to reverse things the next six days. It will not be easy when they face the Astros in Houston. The Astros are 7-3 against the A’s this year. The Rangers, in last place in the AL West, have not rolled over for Oakland. The Rangers split the four-game series with the A’s in Arlington took two out of three last week in Oakland.

On Tuesday, the A’s will send their ace, Chris Bassitt, to the mound. Bassitt is 9-2 with a 3.04 ERA. Lefty Framber Valdez will oppose him. Many A’s fans were furious that Bassitt was not picked to play in the All-Star game a week from tomorrow in Denver. Sean Manaea will pitch on Wednesday. His opponent will be Luis Garcia. Frankie Montas will go on Thursday. Lance McCullers, Jr. goes for Houston.

The A’s pitchers will have their hands full with the Houston lineup. Alex Bregman, Houston’s slugging third baseman, is on the 10-day IL and will not be available. Houston still has players that can do damage. Second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa, first baseman Yuli Guriel all are playing well. The Houston DH, Yordano Alvarez, is not an easy out. Michael Brantley is a hitting machine. The A’s cannot take Myles Straw or Kyle Tucker lightly.

The A’s are going to find a way to get their offense going. They miss their leadoff hitter, Mark Canha. Canha is on the 10-day IL with a hip injury. He may not be available until after the All-Star break. His presence in the lineup is missed. The A’s will need Matt Chapman, Ramon Laureano, Seth Brown, Stephen Piscotty, Elvis Andrus, and Matt Olson to come through with big hits.

Olson will be the A’s only player to participate in this year’s All-Star game. The A’s DH Mitch Moreland is also on the 10-day IL. There is speculation that the A’s will be active in the trade market before the June 30th trade deadline. There are rumors that they might be interested in acquiring Minnesota’s DH, Nelson Cruz. Another player of interest is the Rangers’ right fielder, Joey Gallo.

The Rangers are paying Gallo $6.2 million this season. Gallo has one more year of arbitration and will be a free agent after the 2022 season. He could play right field for the A’s or be used as a left-handed bat in the DH slot.

The A’s do not want to make the playoffs as a Wild Card. Major League Baseball has gone back to the format before the 2020 season. There will be three division champions and two wild cards. There will be a game-playoff between the two wild card teams. The A’s have not fared well in those games. They hosted the 2019 Wild Card game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The outcome was a loss.

If the A’s are to gain ground against Houston, they have to take two out of three. They would cut the deficit to 2 and 1/2 games. A three-game sweep would leave them just 1/2 game behind. However, if the Astros sweep them, they will be six and 1/2 games behind. A’s manager Bob Melvin will have his troops ready. They know the importance of the next two series—the A’s need to make a statement this week. They will be able to enjoy the four-day break.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open three game series against first place rival Astros at Minute Maid Tuesday

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Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt throwing against the Texas Rangers Wed Jun 30, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum will pitch against the Houston Astros Tue Jul 6, 2021 at Minute Maid Field (AP News file photo)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara the Oakland A’s (49-36) are hoping to turn up the heat just a little bit after their series with the Boston Red Sox. The A’s are now chasing the Houston Astros (51-33) in the American League West by just 3.5 games.

#2 The A’s who won Saturday in 12 innings are starting to show that fight again something that was concerning in the previous series at home against the Texas Rangers (33-50).

#3 Tony Kemp has been a huge help during the Red Sox (52-32) series on Saturday despite making an error he was all over defensively including chasing a shallow pop in left field that he couldn’t quite reach, at the bat Kemp hit a sacrifice fly that scored Seth Brown in the 12th inning for the game winner.

#4 Just an update on right fielder Steven Piscotty, Piscotty is played in a rehab game on Sunday and again later tonight at the A’s single A affiliate in Stockton. Piscotty hit second during the rehab game and is expected to be back in the show in Houston on Tuesday night.

#5 Barbara the A’s open up a three game series against the Houston Astros Tuesday night at Minute Maid Field the A’s will start Chris Bassitt (9-2 ERA 3.04) he’ll be matched up against Framber Valdez (5-1 ERA 2.18) set this one up for us.

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