Game 15 Preview: Astros at Athletics

Houston at Oakland, 2:35 PM CT

TV: CSN Houston
Radio: KBME 790
Athletics SBNation Blog: Athletics Nation

Pitching Match

RHP Bud Norris (2-1 / 1.96 ERA / 1.09 WHIP) vs. RHP Bartolo Colon (1-0 / 4.15 ERA / 1.23 WHIP)

Preview

After last night, the A's are now 5-0 against the Astros. In those five games, the Astros have been outscored 38-12. Carlos Pena gave the Astros life late, with his solo home in the eighth inning. Josh Donaldson quickly snuffed out that life, with a triple in the eighth that scored Josh Reddick. The Astros are aiming to steal a game before they return home for a series with the Indians.

Bud Norris takes the ball and the role of stopper for Houston today. Norris has pitched like the Astros' ace over his past few starts - 18.1 IP, 4 ERs, 14 Ks, and 6 BBs over 3 starts. Norris' only loss in this young season came against was the A's in Houston; walks and a fielding error by Ronny Cedeno were Bud's downfall. Crisp and Lowrie both homered of Norris in Houston, the top of the A's lineup has been killers of the Astros. Jason Castro will be looking to rebound after 0-4 yesterday; he touched Colon in his previous start against the Astros.

Bartolo Colon will take the mound against Norris, in a rematch from the April 6 game at Minute Maid Park. In that start, Colon gave up three runs and walked none over six innings. The Astros still appeared to be in daze after striking out so much in the previous Texas series. The key for the Astros today is to make Colon use up his pitches, Colon has made to quality starts without giving up a walk. The Astros need to drive up the count and stay patience. Colon can only be so crafty before the Astros lineup squares him up.