Astros vs. A’s Game Thread, Game 10, 4/5/2026

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 30: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros looks on during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Daikin Park on March 30, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Houston Astros (6-3) look to take the rubber game of a 3 game s

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The Houston Astros (6-3) look to take the rubber game of a 3 game series with the Athletics (2-6) in Sacramento.

RHP Lance McCullers Jr. will be on the mound for the Astros this afternoon opposite LHP Jacob Lopez and the Athletics.

ABOUT MCCULLERS: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. is set to make his second start of the season.

In his season debut against the Boston Red Sox on March 30, he allowed one run on four hits and one walk with nine strikeouts in seven innings. It was his longest outing since Sept. 21,

2022 at Tampa, where he also went 7.0 innings. It was his first quality start and win since July 4, 2025 in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.

TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE: The Houston Astros placed RHP Hunter Brown on the 15-day IL today (retro 4/2) due to a right shoulder strain. To take his place on his active roster, Houston recalled RHP Christian Roa from Triple A Sugar Land.

AGAINST THE ATHLETICS: The Astros and A’s are facing each other today for the third of 13 scheduled games in 2026.

The Astros went 5-8 vs. the A’s in 2025, including a 3-4 record at Sutter Health Park. The Astros have own a 121-107 all-time record against the Athletics.

MR. 500: LF Yordan Alvarez recorded his 500th career RBI on Friday night on a sac-fly RBI in the third inning. He became the 15th player in franchise history to record 500 RBI. He is also the fastest player in franchise history to record 500 career RBI doing so in just 685 games, passing 1B Jeff Bagwell, who recorded 500 RBI in 717 games.

WALK THIS WAY: LF Yordan Alvarez walked a career-high tying four times yesterday vs. the Athletics. This marked the second time in his career he’s recorded a four-walk game, also Aug. 20, 2019 vs. Detroit.

Alvarez also tied the franchise record for walks in a nine inning game…the last Astros player to record four walks in a nine inning game was 3B Alex Bregman on June 3, 2023 vs. the Angels.

1B Jeff Bagwell holds the franchise record for walks in a single game with six on Aug. 20, 1999 in Miami against the Marlins, but the game went 16 innings.

YORDAN’S UPCOMING MILESTONES: LF Yordan Alvarez has recorded 173 career home runs, which makes him just one home run shy of matching franchise icon OF George Springer (174 HR) for the seventh on the Astros all-time list.

Sixth on the list is Alex Bregman at 191.

LEAGUE LEADERS: The Astros lead the Majors in runs (60), doubles (27) total bases (147), hits (87), walks (50), (OBP (.391), SLG (.479) and OPS (.870).

Individually, LF Yordan Alvarez leads the Majors in OBP (.590) and OPS (1.474), while ranking tied for first in runs (9). 1B Christian Walker leads the Majors in doubles (6).

DOWN ON THE FARM: The Astros Single A affiliate Fayetteville Woodpeckers defeated the Wilson Warbirds, 6-5 yesterday at SEGRA Stadium.

Astros number one overall prospect, OF Kevin Alvarez went 4×5 with two runs, two RBI and a double.

Astros number seven overall prospect RHP Ethan Pecko made a rehab start in the game, allowing two hits and striking out four in two scoreless innings.