Astros Aim to End Losing Streak Against Athletics

West Sacramento, California; Wednesday, 10:05 p.m. EDT

The Houston Astros are looking to stop their four-game losing streak as they face the Oakland Athletics in a pivotal matchup Wednesday evening. The Astros come into this game reeling after a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Athletics on Tuesday night, which has left their playoff hopes hanging in the balance.

The Astros’ recent struggles follow a weekend sweep they endured, leaving them with an overall record of 84-73. They currently sit second in the AL West, just outside of playoff contention. The Athletics, on the other hand, boast a 74-83 record and are fourth in the same division.

Astros pitcher Hunter Brown, who made his All-Star debut this season, looks to turn things around for his team. Brown has posted impressive numbers, with a 2.07 ERA in his last 11 starts, allowing just 15 earned runs over 65.1 innings. This performance has kept Houston’s hopes alive as they enter the final stretch of the season.

Brown has historically performed well against the Athletics, allowing only two runs in 11 innings pitched against them this year. However, he faces a challenging environment at Sutter Park, known for its hitter-friendly conditions.

The Athletics have struggled offensively lately, scoring no runs in their previous two games against the Pirates. “We need to focus on getting back to basics,” said A’s manager. The last night’s performance reflected their struggle as well.

Houston’s record on the road stands at 38-37, while Oakland is 33-42 at home. The Astros have typically fared well against teams with similar records to the Athletics, going 35-26 against teams with a winning percentage between .460 and .540.

The pitching matchup for Wednesday features Brown going against an unnamed Athletics pitcher. According to betting lines, the Astros are favored at -146, while the Athletics sit at +121. The over/under for the game is set at 9 runs.

The stakes are high for both teams as they approach the end of the regular season. With playoff aspirations on the line, the Astros need a win to regain momentum.