FRIDAY FIRST 5 INNINGS PLAY (YTD 16-17

[jimmythegreek]

Oakland/Houston over 5 +110:
While it’s clear that Houston (74-47) have been well on their way to an AL West division title for months now, many loyals are expressing a cause for concern since their ASB peak of 31 games over .500 losing 18 of their last 31 since. The Astros still maintain a 12 game lead over the suddenly surging and wildcard hopeful Angels (62-59), but with a slew of injuries and inefficiency at the plate during this stretch, one can only hope for this team to get healthy with a full roster in time for the 2017 postseason. Meanwhile, Oakland (53-68) have long been playing for pride and out the string looking to play the role of spoiler as they sit in the AL West basement. The Athletics, who open up a 3 game series this evening with the Astros at Minute Maid Park, just dropped 2 of 3 to another wildcard hopeful, Kansas City, while Houston split a 4 game home and home interleague series with Arizona who currently holds one of the NL wildcard spots.

 

Houston sends Dallas Keuchel (10-2 2.77) to the hill this evening. Winning his first 9 decisions through early June and going undefeated, the 29 year old 6 year southpaw suffered a neck injury that caused him to miss nearly 2 months of the season. Once cleared to return, Keuchel lost his next 2 decisions allowing 11 earned over 9 innings pitched. However he returned to his winning ways in his last start against Texas allowing just one earned run and 6 hits in 6 2/3 innings pitched walking 3 and striking out 7. He faces an Oakland lineup batting just .241 this season despite averaging nearly 4.5 runs per contest. Despite playing at the O.Coliseum which is dimensionally one of the least friendly AL ballparks for the ball to carry in, they stand 5th overall with 168 HR. With nobody on the roster to speak of anywhere near .300, Jed Lowrie (.274 10 42) leads the club in hitting and is batting .315 over the last 7 games. Khris Davis (.240 33 86) is far and away the leader of the A’s in power and production but is currently battling a 5 for 27 skid (.185) with 158 strikeouts as we have about a quarter of the season remaining. Ryon Healy (.262 21 66) has been on a tear as of late hitting safely in his last 5 (.450) and is on pace to more than double his rookie numbers last season. Matt Joyce (.231 17 50) has hit safely in 6 of his last 7 (.306) and is just 3 homers away of establishing a career high since 2011. While the regulars definitely have some clout in the upper half of the lineup, a weak bench in the lower half of the lineup and errant starting pitching have once again led to misfortunes in the Bay Area.

 

Oakland counters with Sean Manaea (8-7 4.59) who had a fairly efficient first half, has not won since the ASB and hasn’t lasted past the 3rd inning in each of his last 3 starts. The 25 year old sophomore southpaw has yielded 13 earned over his last 6 2/3 innings pitched (17.46) with no quality starts over his last 6 appearances. Manaea faces an Astros lineup leading the majors in nearly all offensive categories, including a collective batting average of .288 with 191 HR and 5.7 runs per contest. Barring a major stroke of inefficiency, Jose Altuve (.361 18 66) will likely wind up with the AL batting tile also closing in on his second straight 20 HR 30 SB season as he has swiped 26 in 2017 only caught 5 times (84%). George Springer (.307 28 70) is tops on the club in power and production and brings in a 4 game hitting streak (.343) into tonight’s action. Yuli Gurriel (.294 15 61) has hit safely in his last 5 himself (.333), and has 9 extra base hits over his last 16 games. Josh Reddick (.295 12 58), who played 5 seasons in Oakland, is mired in a 5 for 30 slump (.167), and has hit only 20 HR once over the last 5 seasons. Carlos Correa (.320 20 67) who suffered a torn ligament in his thumb and is about 3 weeks from returning to action, is a major part of this balanced fray for the recent decline in offense. However Marvin Gonzalez (.311 20 69) has certainly stepped up in a huge way hitting .333 over the last 2 weeks, but has recorded just 2 RBI in his last 9 games.

 

It’s not very often especially in the hitter friendly Minute Maid Park to mostly right handed hitters that we see one of these diamonds in the rough with dog money on the line. All season this Astros lineup has been so tremendously balanced that it’s no surprise other than Altuve we fail to witness individuality in the league leaders collection. At 409 to the deepest parts of the park, at least the fences were slightly brought in and the hill that made it hazardous for outfielders has since been removed. Adding to the fortunes of hitters is the retractable roof which during the heart of the dog days is closed during searing deep south heat. Meanwhile, Oakland despite another season of rebuilding still poses a threat with power throughout the lineup. Keuchel will look to build on his last quality start, while Manaea is just desperate for improvement after being lit up like a pinball machine the last month in a half.Balls will be flying out this evening and we hope to once again even our record in first halves in similar fashion to yesterday afternoon’s no doubter at the friendly confines of Wrigley. Best of luck however you play!