Game No. 151 Preview: Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics

Houston Astros (79-71) vs. Oakland Athletics (66-84), September 20, 2016, 9:05 p.m.

TV: Root Sports SW
Radio: KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV
Athletics SBNation Blog: Athletics Nation

Pitching Matchup

RHP Joe Musgrove (3-4, 4.71 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) vs. LHP Sean Manaea (6-9, 4.23 ERA, 1.24 WHIP)

Preview

I hate to start on a personal note, but my mother asked me is the Astros season was over soon? I replied no if they keep winning, yes if they drop even one series over the next 12 games.

The margin for error is microscopic.

Now it's Joe Musgrove turns to jump into the fire. Joe Musgrove makes the ninth start for the Astros in his rookie season. He enters the game with a 1-2 record with a 5.40 ERA in the month of September. But Musgrove has back-to-back quality starts over his last two outings.

Musgrove blanked the A's on Aug. 29, allowing just three hits over 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven.

Sean Manaea makes his fourth start against the Astros. He 0-1 with a 2.35 ERA over 15.1 innings in those previous starts.

Manaea makes his second start in September, he allowed zero runs over five innings on Sept. 14 against the Royals.