Our A’s and the Astros traded blowout wins in the first two games of the series. Today’s rubber match will determine who takes the series. The Athletics have an excellent chance to win their first of the year and get on the right foot before heading to New York.
Left-hander Jacob Lopez is set to get the ball for the second time this season. The 28 year old had a tough outing his last time out against the Braves, walking five and allowing theee runs in just four innings of work. On the bright side
Lopez has been dominant against these Astros in his career so this could be the perfect matchup to get him going.
Here’s the Athletics’ lineup for the finale:
Off day for regular center fielder Denzel Clarke, with Lawrence Butler sliding over to take over up the middle. That means we’ll get Carlos Cortes in right field this afternoon. Other than that it’s all the regulars in their main spots in the batting order.
They’ll be seeing a familiar face in longtime Astro Lane McCullers Jr. The righty has dealt with plenty of injuries over the years but he seems healthy and he’s coming off a dominant outing in his first start of the year. The A’s will need to take advantage of the opportunities he gives them today.
The Houston starting lineup meanwhile shakes out like this:
Time for our first series win of the year. Let’s go A’s!
