The Crawfish Boxes - AL West Series: Astros at Athletics, April 18-20, 2014Astros baseball: we've got uniforms and everything.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/11437/crawfishboxes-fv.gif2014-04-20T19:18:07-05:00http://www.crawfishboxes.com/rss/stream/53938672014-04-20T19:18:07-05:002014-04-20T19:18:07-05:00Athletics extend Astros' losing streak to 7 games
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<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson</figcaption>
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<p>Astros' offense fails to support pitching staff, this story is getting old quick. </p> <p>The Astros have been a broken record, it hasn't mattered if George Springer is on the roster or not. Houston's pitching has done enough to win games, the offense has not. Plain and simple.</p>
<p>The Good - Marwin Gonzalez account for the Astros' only run, tomahawking a high fastball over the right field fence. No doubt the power of the high socks he wore today, or at least that's what I tell myself. George Springer had a nice diving catch in the first inning going to foul territory. Springer also reached base twice as the result of Oakland fielding errors, his speed is already paying dividends as fielders rush to make plays. Dexter Fowler continues to be big at the top of the lineup, going one for 1-for-2 with two walks.</p>
<p>Brad Peacock and Jerome Williams were sold in the closest thing we will see to tandem pitching in the majors. Peacock went five inning in his first start since joining the rotation - striking out four and walking three. Williams gave up one earned run over three innings of work.</p>
<p>The Bad - Jason Castro and Marc Krauss both left four runs on base today. In total, 3-4-5 hitters left 10 runners on base. As a team the Astros batted .151 (5-for-33). Jonathan Villar was 0-for-4 with a strike out.</p>
<p>On to the next series, the Astros head north to Seattle for a three game set starting Monday. I'm off to go drown my sorrows and watch some playoff basketball with Rockets.</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/4/20/5634686/athletics-extend-astros-losing-streak-to-seven-gamesRyan Dunsmore2014-04-20T14:45:01-05:002014-04-20T14:45:01-05:00GameThread No.19: Astros at Athletics
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
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<p>Join the conversation as the Astros take on the Athletics on Easter Sunday.</p> <h3>Houston at Oakland, 3:05 PM CDT</h3>
<p><strong>TV: </strong>CSN Houston, MLB.TV<br><strong>Radio:</strong> KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM<br><a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/"><strong>Athletics</strong></a><strong> SBNation Blog: </strong><a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics Nation</a></p>
<p></p>
<h4>Pitching matchup</h4>
<p>RHP <span>Brad Peacock</span> (0-1, 7.45 ERA, 2.07 WHIP) vs. RHP <span>Jesse Chavez</span> (0-0, 1.35 ERA, 0.85 WHIP)</p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget lineup clearfix"> <h3>Today's Lineups</h3> <div class="lineup"><table class="zebra" cellspacing="0"> <thead><tr> <th align="left">HOUSTON ASTROS</th> <th align="left">OAKLAND ATHLETICS</th> </tr></thead> <tbody> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jose Altuve</span> - 2B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Coco Crisp</span> - CF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Dexter Fowler</span> - CF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Jed Lowrie</span> - SS</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jason Castro</span> - C</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Josh Donaldson</span> - 3B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>George Springer</span> - RF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Brandon Moss</span> - 1B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Marc Krauss</span> - 1B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> - LF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Chris Carter</span> - DH</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Alberto Callaspo</span> - DH</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>L.J. Hoes</span> - LF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Josh Reddick</span> - RF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Marwin Gonzalez</span> - 3B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>John Jaso</span> - C</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jonathan Villar</span> - SS</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Eric Sogard</span> - 2B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"></td> <td class="td-first td-name"></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name">Brad Peacock - RHP</td> <td class="td-first td-name">Jesse Chavez - RHP</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/4/20/5632976/gamethread-no-19-houston-astros-at-oakland-athletics-apr-20-2014-3-05Ryan Dunsmore2014-04-20T01:04:52-05:002014-04-20T01:04:52-05:00Astros lose 4-3; One Step Closer to Madness
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
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<p>Astros take 3-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth; Qualls blows the save and ultimately the game.</p> <p>Allow me to set the scene of where I was 'watching' the game today. I live within the city limit of Houston and don't have the ability to get Comcast. The game was broadcast on MLB Network, but it was locally blacked-out. Instead MLB Network was showing "The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training", which does have cameos from former <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Astros</a> César Cedeño, Enos Cabell, Ken Forsch, Bob Watson and J.R. Richard. So I guess they were still showing Astros in a way. There was a level of depression that had set in before the game even started, because I was prevented from watchign the game two different ways.</p>
<p>Instead of video, Robert Ford and <span>Steve Sparks</span> talked over the constant flow of tweets from Astros staff, beat writers, bloggers, and fans on my computer. I listen to the call of Jonathan Villar's home run to dead center. <span>Chris Carter</span> hitting a double and barely scoring on a <span>Matt Dominguez</span> single. I heard the excitement of Villar scoring on a bad throw after stealing third later in the game. Topped off by the effort of <span>Brett Oberholtzer</span>, <span>Anthony Bass</span>, and <span>Matt Albers</span> to hold the A's to one run through eight innings.</p>
<p>Ford and Sparks were also the source for the dreadful, helpless feeling as <span>Chad Qualls</span> crumbled in the ninth. <span>Jed Lowrie</span> homered. <span>Josh Donaldson</span> walked. <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> singled. The end was in sight. Qualls came back to strike out John Jaso. One ground ball would do to end the game. <span>Alberto Callaspo</span> singled to score Donaldson to tie the game. Not the end of the world, there is always extras. But, Astros fan knew there wouldn't be extra innings.</p>
<p>I sat and listened to Robert Ford -</p>
<p><i>"<span>Josh Reddick</span> stands in with a 1-2 count. Here is the pitch. [bat crack] That's a hit in front of Fowler. A's win"</i></p>
<p>All baseball and no wins makes Ryan a dull boy.</p>
<p>All baseball and no wins makes Ryan a dull boy.</p>
<p>All baseball and no wins makes Ryan a dull boy.</p>
<p>All baseball and no wins makes Ryan a dull boy.</p>
<p>All baseball and no wins makes Ryan a dull boy.</p>
<p>All baseball and no wins makes Ryan a dull boy.</p>
<p>All baseball and no wins makes Ryan a dull boy.</p>
<p>All baseball and no wins makes Ryan a dull boy.</p>
<p>All baseball and no wins makes Ryan a dull boy.</p>
<p>All baseball and no wins makes Ryan a dull boy.</p>
<p>All baseball and no wins ma ks se.......</p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/4/20/5632844/astros-blow-winning-chances-in-the-ninth-against-the-athleticsRyan Dunsmore2014-04-19T14:50:01-05:002014-04-19T14:50:01-05:00GameThread No.18: Astros at Athletics
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/98T5FOM2IfuE7GME2GBoXzV1Zyk=/0x1100:2700x2900/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31864345/485564411.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson</figcaption>
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<p>Astros hope to rebound from tough loss in opening game with the A's.</p> <h3>Houston at Oakland, 3:05 PM CDT</h3>
<p><strong>TV: </strong>CSN Houston, MLB.TV<br><strong>Radio:</strong> KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM<br><a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/"><strong>Athletics</strong></a><strong> SBNation Blog: </strong><a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics Nation</a></p>
<p></p>
<h4>Pitching matchup</h4>
<p>LHP <span>Brett Oberholtzer</span> (0-3, 3.50 ERA, 0.94 WHIP) vs. LHP <span>Scott Kazmir</span> (2-0, 1.40 ERA, 0.78 WHIP)</p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget lineup clearfix"> <h3>Today's Lineups</h3> <div class="lineup"><table class="zebra" cellspacing="0"> <thead><tr> <th align="left">HOUSTON ASTROS</th> <th align="left">OAKLAND ATHLETICS</th> </tr></thead> <tbody> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jose Altuve</span> - 2B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Craig Gentry</span> - CF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Dexter Fowler</span> - CF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Jed Lowrie</span> - SS</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jesus Guzman</span> - 1B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Josh Donaldson</span> - 3B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>George Springer</span> - RF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> - LF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Chris Carter</span> - DH</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Derek Norris</span> - C</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Matt Dominguez</span> - 3B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Alberto Callaspo</span> - DH</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>L.J. Hoes</span> - LF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Josh Reddick</span> - RF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Carlos Corporan</span> - C</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Nick Punto</span> - 2B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jonathan Villar</span> - SS</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Daric Barton</span> - 1B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"></td> <td class="td-first td-name"></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name">Brett Oberholtzer - LHP</td> <td class="td-first td-name">Scott Kazmir - LHP</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/4/19/5631596/gamethread-no-18-houston-astros-at-oakland-athletics-apr-19-2014-3-05Ryan Dunsmore2014-04-19T02:31:36-05:002014-04-19T02:31:36-05:00Cosart implodes in series opener with A's
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<figcaption>Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Astros' losing streak reaches five games after Jarred Cosart fails to record a second out his start. </p> <p>Tonight's game was over quicker than George Springer trying to get an infield single. <span>Jarred Cosart</span> imploded in the first inning, giving up three hits, walking four, allowing two home runs, and the A's scored seven earned runs before a second out was recorded. The storyline for Cosart coming to the season was he had a great 2013 campaign with a 1.95 ERA, but he was a candidate for regression with a 4.68 xFIP*. That regression is happening, but this is only one game. The sky isn't falling. Major League Baseball now has a book on Jarred Cosart, and it's time to see what adjustments he makes.</p>
<p>I have been using this same line for each series preview that Cosart has pitched, "if he keeps his electric stuff under control (i.e. keep the walks down), the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> will win the game." Cosart walked three of the first four batters he faced. That was followed by a <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> single, a <span>Alberto Callaspo</span> home run, his fourth walk to <span>John Jaso</span>, and a <span>Josh Reddick</span> home run. Cosart left the game without recording a second out.</p>
<p><span>Paul Clemens</span> stepped into game and pitched admirably in long relief. Let's assume he had had started the game and was able to get out of the first without a run (a stretch I know), the Astros would have been tied 3-3 when Clemens exited the game in the sixth. Cespedes took Clemens deep, as did <span>Coco Crisp</span> continues to be an Astros-killer.</p>
<p><span>Raul Valdes</span> got his first appearance as an Astros, walking the first batter he faced to force home a run. He did retire the next four batters he faced with ease.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Like many games this season, the Astros exploded for multiple runs in one inning and were flat otherwise. <span>Jonathan Villar</span>, <span>Jose Altuve</span>, and <span>Dexter Fowler</span> singled to starting the fifth inning - scoring Villar. Astros fans continue to fill out <span>George Springer's</span> baby book, he drove in his first on a sharp single up the middle to score Altuve. <span>Chris Carter</span> scored a run on a sac fly. Springer also collected his first stolen base in the first inning, swiping second after reaching base on a <span>Jed Lowrie</span> error.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p>Speaking of Jed Lowrie - he attempted to pick a fight with the entire Houston team. This came after he had to jump out of the way of a Clemens' pitch just below his knees. Clemens just two innings before he had recorded the final out as Jed Lowrie attempted to beat the shift with a bunt. There seem to be some symmetry to these actions, Clemens may have been insulted by the thought he couldn't field his position. All batters are installed by a pitches inside, or just maybe this was all a big misunderstanding. There way it made great theater.</p>
<p>Lowrie jawed at the entire Astros team after the final out in the third inning. Prompting Jose Altuve to attempted to defuse the situation with his former teammate -</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4324623/AltuveLowrie.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Altuvelowrie_medium" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4324623/AltuveLowrie_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bo Porter on the other hand, seem end the argument by telling Lowrie to go to his room without supper.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4324609/PorterLowrie.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Porterlowrie_medium" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4324609/PorterLowrie_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1397891837709"></p>
<p>Finally, Porter decided one of the Gatorade coolers needed a demotion to the floor.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4324611/PorterCooler.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Portercooler_medium" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4324611/PorterCooler_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p><i>Thank you Tim, for stay up late and getting the GIFs.</i></p>
<p>The Astros and A's are back at it tomorrow at 3:05 PM - <span>Brett Oberholtzer</span> faces off against Cy-Falls product <span>Scott Kazmir</span>.</p>
<p><i>*Stats Courtesy of FanGraphs</i></p>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/4/19/5630350/cosart-imploded-in-opener-with-as-astros-lose-11-3Ryan Dunsmore2014-04-18T21:05:01-05:002014-04-18T21:05:01-05:00GameThread No.17: Astros at Athletics
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<figcaption>Ronald Martinez</figcaption>
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<p>Join the conversation as the Astros take on reigning AL West champion Athletics.</p> <h3>Houston at Oakland, 9:05 PM CDT</h3>
<p><strong>TV: </strong>CSN Houston, MLB.TV<br><strong>Radio:</strong> KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM<br><strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a> SBNation Blog: </strong><a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics Nation</a></p>
<p></p>
<h4>Pitching matchup</h4>
<p>RHP <span>Jarred Cosart</span> (1-1, 4.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP) vs. RHP <span>Sonny Gray</span> (2-0, 0.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP)</p>
<div class="pane sports_data_widget lineup clearfix"> <h3>Today's Lineups</h3> <div class="lineup"><table class="zebra" cellspacing="0"> <thead><tr> <th align="left">HOUSTON ASTROS</th> <th align="left">OAKLAND ATHLETICS</th> </tr></thead> <tbody> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jose Altuve</span> - 2B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Coco Crisp</span> - CF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Dexter Fowler</span> - CF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Jed Lowrie</span> - SS</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jason Castro</span> - C</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Josh Donaldson</span> - 3B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>George Springer</span> - RF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Brandon Moss</span> - 1B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Marc Krauss</span> - 1B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> - LF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Chris Carter</span> - DH</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Alberto Callaspo</span> - DH</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>L.J. Hoes</span> - LF</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>John Jaso</span> - C</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Matt Dominguez</span> - 3B</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Josh Reddick</span> - RF</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"> <span>Jonathan Villar</span> - SS</td> <td class="td-first td-name"> <span>Eric Sogard</span> - 2B</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name"></td> <td class="td-first td-name"></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-last td-name">Jarred Cosart - RHP</td> <td class="td-first td-name">Sonny Gray - RHP</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div>
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/4/18/5629830/gamethread-no-17-houston-astros-at-oakland-athletics-apr-18-2014-9-05Ryan Dunsmore2014-04-18T20:00:02-05:002014-04-18T20:00:02-05:00Series Preview: Astros at Athletics
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<figcaption>Jason O. Watson</figcaption>
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<p>Astros head west to face the reigning AL West Champions.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> have dropped eight of their last ten. The reason for this is pretty clear, mental mistakes and the offense. It makes doing a preview for the series very easy. As a team, the Astros are batting .188 through through 16 games. That's 30 points below the next team in the rankings, Tampa Bay at .221. With runner in scoring position, the Astros are a league worst .148, 40 points behind the next team Arizona. If they hope to make any change in the win column that will need to change.</p>
<p>The one bright spot thus far is the callup of Astros top-prospect George Springer. Springer who almost reached the 40-40 club between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Oklahoma City. He is 2-for-9 with four strikeouts in two games with the major league club.</p>
<p>No surprise that <span>Jose Altuve</span> and Jason Castros have lead the way for the Astros' offense over the last seven days - batting .286 (6-21) and .333 (5-15) respectively.</p>
<p>The Astros pitching staff has kept them in games throughout the season, <span>Jarred Cosart</span> and <span>Brett Oberholtzer</span> each went seven innings in their last starts. <span>Brad Peacock</span> joins the rotation for his first start after replacing <span>Lucas Harrell</span>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p>Alex Smith of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a> Nation did a killer job preview the A's this series. He was kind enough to send it along for our preview.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Oakland Athletics enter this series with the best record in the American League (10-5) and the best run differential in baseball (plus-20). Of their five losses, two came at the hands of <span>Felix Hernandez</span>, two more came after the bullpen blew ninth-inning leads, and the came in a game that was tied entering the ninth inning -- in other words, the A's record could and should be even better and they've been competitive in every game they've played so far in 2014.</p>
<p>As is often the case, the starting pitching has been the strength of the team so far. The rotation, led by the young stud <span>Sonny Gray</span>, the reclamation project <span>Scott Kazmir</span>, and the unknown <span>Jesse Chavez</span>, has a combined 2.48 ERA, which ranks second in the Majors. Gray, a 24-year-old in his first full season, can hit 96 with his fastball and complements it with a sharp curve. Kazmir has his velocity back in the low-to-mid 90s and has his change-up and slider working effectively, but he left his last start with triceps tightness and will be monitored closely in his next outing. Chavez has found new life after making the proverbial transition to being a "pitcher not a thrower." He added a cutter to his repertoire a couple years ago, and the movement he gets from that and from his curve and change are keeping hitters off-balance to the tune of 22 strikeouts and two walks in 20 innings of work. He's actually been Oakland's best starter so far.</p>
<p>The bullpen was expected to be one of the best in the bigs, but it currently leads the world in blown saves with five. <span>Jim Johnson</span> needed only one week to lose the full-time closer role, and the team has moved to a closer-by-committee for the time being. However, given that <span>Luke Gregerson</span> and <span>Sean Doolittle</span> have each blown saves already as part of the Committee, and that Johnson has been sharp in his last three outings, we could see Johnson in a ninth inning again soon. Even with their recent struggles (some of which can be blamed on shoddy defense behind them), the unit still has a 2.72 ERA that ranks sixth in MLB and second in the AL.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the offense has scored just enough every day to keep both teams in the game. The power has come from <span>Josh Donaldson</span> and <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> (three homers each), the table-setting has come from <span>Jed Lowrie</span> (15 walks, .477 OBP) and <span>Alberto Callaspo</span> (.357/.426/.524), and <span>Brandon Moss</span> and <span>Derek Norris</span> have provided more than their share of run production. <span>Coco Crisp</span> has been good when he's played, but he's missed several games with a wrist injury and hasn't been starting against lefties. On the other side of the coin, <span>Josh Reddick</span> (.098/.196/.098) and <span>Daric Barton</span> (.077/.200/.077) have been total zeroes at the plate, and one has to wonder how long their defensive skills can keep them in the lineup on their own. Overall, the A's are tied for ninth in the Majors in runs scored (68), and they're getting those runs with walks and home runs rather than a high batting average. (Sound familiar?)</p>
<p>This is an A's team capable of dominating in every facet of the game. However, they're also capable of making bonehead mistakes, letting teams stick around in games rather than putting them away, and blowing late leads. They can be counted on to come through in the clutch their fair share of the time, as they've won three of four extra-inning games and came back late against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>' bullpen twice in their series this week. There are two things the Astros can do this weekend to increase their chances of victory. The first is to avoid walking Oakland's hitters; doing this will slow down their offensive attack and force them to hit the ball. The second is to work deep counts against their starters; they're good, but they can be inefficient at times and fail to work deep into games, and the bullpen recently showed that it can be exposed if it's overworked.</p>
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https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2014/4/18/5629612/series-preview-astros-at-athletics-april-18-20-2014Ryan Dunsmore