Game Four Thread. April 4, 2021, 3:07 CDT. Astros @ A’s

You couldn’t ask for a better start to a season. A better three-game stretch is probably impossible.

The Astros have scored 26 runs on 36 hits while allowing the A’s to score only seven runs in these first three games of the season.

No doubt they’re screaming hard luck in Oakland (when they’re not banging trashcans). The A’s were only 2-22 with runners in scoring positions, and last I heard, yesterday there were 13 0-3 counts recorded by Astros pitchers, (correct me if I’m wrong) and yet the A’s only got three hits and five walks.

Gotta love Altuve at leadoff so far, hitting .455. The three Cubans are red-hot too, Yordan at .385 (1.169 OPS) Yuli .364 (1.170 OPS), and Aledmys Diaz in one game, .600 (1.400 OPS).

It’s Jose Urquidy going for the sweep today in his first start. Former A’s ace Sean Manaea with go for the A’s.

Here’s the lineup. Michael Brantley is out for precautionary reasons after getting hit in the hand yesterday. X-rays are reported negative.

Jose Altuve.................................2B

Kyle Tucker.................................RF

Alex Bregman............................3B

Yordan Alvarez...........................DH

Yuli Gurriel.................................1B

Carlos Correa............................SS

Myles Straw...............................CF

Jason Castro.............................C

Chas McCormick......................LF

Media Access

Game 4: Sunday, April 4th @ 3:07 pm CDT

Listen: Astros - KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2 / Athletics - Bloomberg 960 AM, A’s Cast, KIQI 1010

Watch: Astros - ATT SportsNet-SW / Athletics - NBCSCA / MLB Network (out-of-market only)