WEDNESDAY FIRST 5 INNINGS PLAY (YTD 3-7)

[jimmythegreek]

Houston/Oakland over 4.5 -120:
Things looked rather bleak during the first month and a half of the regular season when the Astros ( 50-44) fell a season high 11 games under .500. Instead of proving their critics wrong, they have since won 33 of their last 47 to move into second place in the AL West, just 4 games behind struggling Texas and 2 out of the wildcard. Justified by most of their success to timely hitting and consistent starting pitching with a stronger bullpen, the Astros look to avoid the sweep against Oakland (42-52) this afternoon. Last night, the Athletics rallied from 3 down and won in the 10th inning on a Josh Reddick RBI single 4-3. Reddick, who came in earlier as a pinch hitter, knocked in Marcus Semien making a winner out of Marc Rzepcynski who picked up the third out inthe top half of the inning. Ryon Healy went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, and Coco Crisp also added 2 hits. Dillion Overton lasted 6 strong and yielded 3 runs on 9 hits with 6 strikeouts. Pat Neshek took the loss inheriting the winning runs and fell to 2-2. George Springer launched his 21st HR, wasting a 4 for 5 night with 2 runs scored for Jose Altuve. 

Daniel Mengden (1-4 5.54) takes the hill this evening after being roughed up his previous few starts. The 23 year old rookie from Texas has a loss in his last 3 appearances with an ERA near 11. His last outing registered a no-decision but managed just 3 innings yielding 6 earned against Toronto that resulted in an 8-7 win for the A's. Mengden faces a Houston lineup hitting just .245 collectively thus far, however averaging 4.5 runs per contest. Their 118 HR are tied with their interstate AL rivals for 7th. Altuve (.354 15 54) leads the AL in batting and has also shown an unexpected amount of power thus far set to eclipse last year's HR and RBI totals. Altuve has hit safely in his last 5 games (.571) and has also stolen 25 bases in just 28 attempts (89%). Springer (.255 21 53) is a confident free swinger who has power to all fields but is just 4 for his last 28 (.143) over the last week. Carlos Correa (.265 14 59) has given the 'Stros more than they could ask for just past the halfway point while covering lots of ground at shortstop. Colby Rasmus (.236 11 43) is going through a tough 1 for 22 stretch (.045) but hopes to have a better second half average wise after suffering a recent ear infection. 

Houston counters with Doug Fister (9-6 3.64) who ended a recent personal 3 start losing streak last time out with a win against Seattle. The 32 year old righty allowed 3 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings pitched but received plenty of run support in a 7-3 win. Fister faces an Oakland lineup where consistency at the plate has contributed to their overall struggles. The Athletics are hitting .253 and average 4.2 runs per contest with 98 HR overall. Khris Davis (.252 23 61) has since picked it up over the last week batting .300 with 4 HR. Semien (.241 20 48) is second on the team in production but could use more consistency as evident by his overall average and 85 K's. Danny Valencia (.298 12 34) has also been reliable thus far but lacks chances in consistency with RISP. Jed Lowrie (.280 2 25) has hit safely in 7 of his last 8 and Steven Vogt (.289 8 30) provides versatility at and behind the plate thus far. 

With Oakland basically playing out the string and Houston looking for a second straight appearance in the postseason, we get an expensive price in this spot. This Astros lineup is relatively beastly even after letting Chris Carter, a HR hitting machine with no luck having anybody on base let alone struggling to hit his weight. The bulk of their lineup makes up for his departure and then some. Oakland other than their two big stars continues to rebuild and could possibly make some more moves over the trading deadline as sellers. The ball seems to carry much better at Oakland Alameda Coliseum despite being 21 feet below ground level. Even though it remains one of the oldest parks in the league, it sports favorable dimensions for hitters especially straight away at 400 feet. Fister looks to put together consecutive positive starts this afternoon while Mengden hopes to get back in the win column. Speaking of win columns, yours truly could also use a boost hitting a dry spell over the last 3 contests. Best of luck however you play!