Game No. 73 Preview: Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics

Houston Astros (48-24) vs. Oakland Athletics (31-40), June 21, 2017, 9:05 p.m. CT

TV: ROOT SPORTS Southwest
Radio: KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV
Athletics SBNation Blog: Athletics Nation

Pitching Matchup

RHP Mike Fiers (4-2, 4.00 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) vs. LHP Sean Manaea (6-3, 4.01 ERA, 1.11 WHIP)

Preview

The Houston Astros appear to be back on track after two games in Oakland. Five home runs and two solid starts from the Houston starting pitchers to open the four-game series with two wins.

The Astros now turn to their defacto, bizarro ace for the moment, Mike Fiers.

Fiers is 3-0 with a 3-0 with a 1.78 ERA and 24 strikeouts and no home runs over his last 25 ¹⁄₃ innings. A far departure from his start to the season when he allowed 18 home runs over his first nine starts — causing him to be sent to the bullpen for one day because injuries struck the Astros rotation.

Fiers is 0-2 with a 4.32 ERA in six starts against the Athletics, he is 0-2 with a 5.24 ERA in four starts in Oakland. Marcus Semien (.182), Stephen Vogt (.500), and Yonder Alonso (.500) each have 10-plus career at-bats against Fiers. Mark Canha and Jed Lowrie are the only current A's with a home run against Fiers.

Sean Manaea starts for the A's, he is 5-0 with a 2.84 ERA in his six starts. That said, he gave up five runs over six innings against the Yankees on June 16.

Sean Manaea is 0-1 with a 1.71 ERA in five career starts. Jose Altuve is 0-for-11 in his career against Manaea. Carlos Correa is 1-for-10. George Springer is 3-for-11. Evan Gattis is the only Astro with a home run off Manaea, and his 3-for-12 with a home run.