Oakland Athletics (58-42) at Houston Astros (34-65), 1:10 pm (CT)

Oakland at Houston, 1:10 pm (CT)

TV: CSN Houston, MLB.TV
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
Athletics SBNation Blog: Athletics Nation

Pitching Match

RHP A.J. Griffin (8-7 / 3.82 ERA / 1.13 WHIP) vs. RHP Bud Norris (6-9 / 3.91 ERA / 1.43 WHIP)

Preview

What a game last night? But, we must turn the page. On the mound today for the Astros is Bud Norris. With each start, the trade deadline keeps the idea of Norris pitching his last game as an Astro alive. Norris has entered a bit of funk, giving up 13 runs over 10 2/3 in his last two starts. Four of the six runs given up to Seattle in his previous start, came off the long ball. Even with his 6 run outing at home against Seattle last friday, Norris' home ERA is 2.81 with a two to one K/BB rate. This season, in two previous starts, Norris is 0-2 with a 11.37 ERA against Oakland. Norris had his shortest outing of the year on April 17 in Oakland, failing to get out first inning before giving up six runs. Coco Crisp, John Jaso, Jed Lowrie, and Seth Smith have all touched up Norris for a homerun. Yoenis Cespedes returns to the lineup today after resting his sour left wrest, he is hitless with two strikeouts against Norris.

Norris' counterpart today is A.J. Griffin. July has been a mixed bag for the right-hander, two starts with 2 runs or less allowed and two with four or more allowed. In his most recent start after the All-Star break, Griffin gave up four runs to the Angels over five innings. Griffin is 1-0 in two starts against Houston this year with a 4.63 ERA. In his last start in Houston, the righty gave up four runs over 5 2/3 innings. Jason Castro is batting .500 (3-6) against Griffin with two homeruns.