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Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Pick & Prediction APR 10TH 2021
923Oakland Athletics924Houston Astros
Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Recap APR 10TH 2021
LOS ANGELES -- The Houston Astros hit four more home runs Thursday and advanced to their fourth consecutive American League Championship Series with an 11-6 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Dodger Stadium.
Houston, which took the best-of-five AL Division Series in four games, will meet the Tampa Bay Rays or the New York Yankees for the league title beginning Sunday in San Diego.
Michael Brantley homered twice, giving the Astros their third player with a multi-homer game in four ALDS contests. Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve also hit home runs in Game 4. Correa went deep twice in the series opener, and George Springer hit a pair of home runs in Game 2.
The 24 home runs combined between the teams set a division series record, breaking the previous mark of 22 set by the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners in 1995. It also was the most homers in a series of five games or fewer, regardless of round.
The A's received two home runs from Ramon Laureano and initially set the division series record for home runs by a single team with 12. The Astros matched it when Altuve went deep with the game in hand in the seventh inning.
After blowing a three-run lead and losing in Game 3 to extend the series, the Astros jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the fifth inning Thursday and finished off the A's from there.
Oakland looked determined early, taking a 3-0 lead in the second inning on a three-run blast from Laureano. A's players credited Laureano for inspiring their Game 3 victory after he gave a speech in the dugout when Oakland fell behind.
However, his early blast could not slow the Astros' offense, which scored five times in the fourth to take the lead. Altuve led off the inning with a walk before Brantley hit a two-run blast to right center field. Correa added a three-run shot to left for the lead.
Laureano got the A's back within 5-4 in the fifth inning on his second home run of the game, but Brantley answered in the bottom of the frame with his own solo blast, again to right-center. Correa increased the advantage to 7-4 in the fifth with an RBI single to left.
Kyle Tucker and Correa had RBI singles in the sixth inning, and Altuve hit a two-run home run in the seventh.
Oakland's Marcus Semien and Tommy La Stella had RBI singles in the ninth inning off Ryan Pressly.
Astros right-hander Zack Greinke, scratched from his scheduled Game 3 start because of arm soreness, went 4 2/3 innings in Game 4, giving up four runs on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Right-hander Cristian Javier (1-0) went 2 1/3 scoreless innings for the victory.
A's starter Frankie Montas (0-1) gave up five runs on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings with one walk and three strikeouts.
--By Doug Padilla, Field Level Media
Houston veteran right-hander Zack Greinke has thus far served as the staff workhorse, but for all their offensive might, the Astros will need the rest of their starters to start eating innings.
In the Astros' 6-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Friday, right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. pitched effectively albeit not for long, allowing one run on two hits and three walks with six strikeouts over five innings. One night after five pitchers covered the final four innings of a 6-2 victory, the Houston bullpen was charged with the same task in the middle game of this three-game series.
McCullers has logged five innings in both of his starts this season. Right-hander Cristian Javier has covered just 8 2/3 innings over two starts while right-handers Jose Urquidy and Luis Garcia have logged a total of 7 2/3 innings in two starts this season. That has yielded a heavy workload for the bullpen, which benefited from an off-day Wednesday but had to cover four innings Friday.
"Yeah somewhat," Astros manager Dusty Baker said when asked if he needs his starters to work deeper into games. "We thought that McCullers had had enough because he had that 32-pitch (fourth) inning that took a lot out of him. We wanted to go deeper but we made a couple of mistakes, and they capitalized on them. That was the ballgame."
Urquidy (0-0, 4.15 ERA) will start the series finale for the Astros on Saturday. He allowed two runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings in his season debut on April 4, a 9-2 victory over Oakland, marking the 13th time in 15 career appearances that Urquidy has allowed two or fewer runs. He is winless in three career starts against the Athletics, posting a 2.93 ERA while recording 16 strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings.
Right-hander Frankie Montas (0-1, 23.63 ERA) gets the start for Oakland. He took the loss in his season debut April 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings. Montas has dropped three consecutive starts dating to last season and is 4-3 with a 4.50 ERA in nine career appearances (seven starts) against the Astros. He went 2-1 with a 4.11 ERA in three starts against Houston in 2020.
There was little reason to believe that the Athletics would continue to suffer a power outage at the plate. Two seasons ago, Oakland finished fourth in the American League in home runs (257) and fifth in slugging (.466) so, after a start that saw the Athletics hit .170 over their opening seven games, a breakthrough seemed inevitable. The only question was the matter of when.
Jed Lowrie, Matt Olson and Mark Canha all slugged home runs in the Athletics' win Friday, with Olson registering a 414-foot blast to right field in the eighth inning that served as the backbreaker.
"We were in the dugout saying: It's coming, it's coming, it's coming," Athletics manager Bob Melvin said. "Next thing you know Olly hits a homer and then Canha."
--Field Level Media
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Last 10
- @Arizona W 7 - 5
- @Arizona W 9 - 5
- @Houston W 7 - 3
- @Houston W 6 - 2
- @Houston L 2 - 6
- LA Dodgers W 3 - 4
- LA Dodgers L 5 - 1
- LA Dodgers L 10 - 3
- Houston L 9 - 2
- Houston L 9 - 1
- Detroit L 6 - 4
- Detroit L 8 - 2
- Detroit L 6 - 2
- Oakland L 7 - 3
- Oakland L 6 - 2
- Oakland W 2 - 6
- @LA Angels W 4 - 2
- @LA Angels L 6 - 7
- @Oakland W 9 - 2
- @Oakland W 9 - 1
Next Games
Last Meetings
American League
American League Central | W | L | PCT | GB | RF | RA | HOME | AWAY | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kansas City Royals | 6 | 4 | .600 | 0.0 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4-2 | 2-2 | 6-0-4 |
Cleveland Indians | 6 | 4 | .600 | 0.0 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 4-1 | 2-3 | 6-0-4 |
Minnesota Twins | 5 | 6 | .455 | 1.5 | 5.4 | 3.7 | 1-4 | 4-2 | 5-0-5 |
Detroit Tigers | 5 | 6 | .455 | 1.5 | 3.9 | 5.3 | 3-3 | 2-3 | 4-0-6 |
Chicago White Sox | 5 | 6 | .455 | 1.5 | 5.0 | 4.1 | 2-2 | 3-4 | 5-0-5 |
American League East | W | L | PCT | GB | RF | RA | HOME | AWAY | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boston Red Sox | 8 | 3 | .727 | 0.0 | 5.9 | 4.3 | 3-3 | 5-0 | 8-0-2 |
Toronto Blue Jays | 6 | 6 | .500 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 3-3 | 3-3 | 5-0-5 |
Tampa Bay Rays | 5 | 6 | .455 | 3.0 | 4.1 | 5.7 | 3-2 | 2-4 | 4-0-6 |
Baltimore Orioles | 5 | 6 | .455 | 3.0 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 1-4 | 4-2 | 4-0-6 |
New York Yankees | 5 | 7 | .417 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 3-3 | 2-4 | 4-0-6 |
American League West | W | L | PCT | GB | RF | RA | HOME | AWAY | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles Angels | 7 | 5 | .583 | 0.0 | 5.1 | 5.4 | 4-2 | 3-3 | 6-0-4 |
Houston Astros | 6 | 5 | .545 | 0.5 | 5.5 | 4.3 | 1-4 | 5-1 | 5-0-5 |
Seattle Mariners | 6 | 5 | .545 | 0.5 | 4.6 | 5.6 | 3-3 | 3-2 | 5-0-5 |
Oakland Athletics | 5 | 7 | .417 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 6.2 | 1-6 | 4-1 | 5-0-5 |
Texas Rangers | 4 | 7 | .364 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2-4 | 2-3 | 4-0-6 |
National League
National League Central | W | L | PCT | GB | RF | RA | HOME | AWAY | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Milwaukee Brewers | 7 | 5 | .583 | 0.0 | 4.4 | 3.3 | 3-3 | 4-2 | 6-0-4 |
Cincinnati Reds | 7 | 5 | .583 | 0.0 | 6.3 | 4.7 | 5-1 | 2-4 | 6-0-4 |
St. Louis Cardinals | 6 | 6 | .500 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 2-4 | 4-2 | 5-0-5 |
Chicago Cubs | 5 | 7 | .417 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 4.3 | 3-3 | 2-4 | 4-0-6 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 4 | 7 | .364 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 5.4 | 3-2 | 1-5 | 3-0-7 |
National League East | W | L | PCT | GB | RF | RA | HOME | AWAY | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Philadelphia Phillies | 6 | 5 | .545 | 0.0 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 5-1 | 1-4 | 5-0-5 |
New York Mets | 4 | 3 | .571 | 0.0 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3-1 | 1-2 | 4-0-3 |
Miami Marlins | 4 | 6 | .400 | 1.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 1-5 | 3-1 | 4-0-5 |
Atlanta Braves | 4 | 7 | .364 | 2.0 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 2-3 | 2-4 | 4-0-6 |
Washington Nationals | 3 | 6 | .333 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 4.8 | 1-2 | 2-4 | 3-0-6 |
National League West | W | L | PCT | GB | RF | RA | HOME | AWAY | L10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles Dodgers | 9 | 2 | .818 | 0.0 | 5.8 | 3.1 | 4-0 | 5-2 | 9-0-1 |
San Francisco Giants | 8 | 4 | .667 | 1.5 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 5-1 | 3-3 | 7-0-3 |
San Diego Padres | 8 | 4 | .667 | 1.5 | 4.1 | 2.8 | 4-3 | 4-1 | 6-0-4 |
Arizona Diamondbacks | 4 | 8 | .333 | 5.5 | 4.6 | 5.7 | 2-3 | 2-5 | 4-0-6 |
Colorado Rockies | 3 | 8 | .273 | 6.0 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 3-4 | 0-4 | 2-0-8 |
Last Injuries
Houston Astros
-
Framber Valdez
FingerLate April | 10-day ILValdez has been shuttled to the 10-day injured list with a fractured left finger, and he will be out of the lineup until the end of April.
-
Martin Maldonado
IllnessOut indefinitely | COVID-19 ILMaldonado has popped up on the COVID-19 injured list, and it is uncertain how long he will be out of the lineup.
-
Andre Scrubb
ShoulderLate April | 10-day ILScrubb has popped up on the 10-day injured reserved list with a shoulder injury, and he is not expected to be active until the end of April.
-
Austin Pruitt
ElbowOut indefinitely | 60-day ILPruitt has been transferred to the 60-day injured list recovering from surgery to repair a hairline fracture in his right elbow, and there is no timetable for return.
-
Enoli Paredes
Upper BodyOut indefinitely | 10-day ILParedes has been designated for the 10-day injured list with right side soreness, and there is no timetable for recovery.
-
Pedro Baez
ShoulderOut indefinitely | 10-day ILBaez has wound up on the 10-day injured list due to right shoulder tightness, and there is no timetable for recovery.
-
Jose Altuve
UndisclosedOut indefinitely | COVID-19 ILAltuve has been added to the COVID-19 injured list, and it is up in the air if he will return to the lineup.
-
Yordan Alvarez
UndisclosedOut indefinitely | 10-day ILAlvares had been shifted to the 10-day injured list due to an undisclosed issue, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action.
Oakland Athletics
-
A.J. Puk
BicepOut indefinitely | 10-day ILPuk has been shifted to the 10-day injured list with a left bicep strain, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
-
Matt Olson
ThumbQues Thurs | questionableOlson was held out of the previous game with a left thumb contusion, and it is unclear if he will face the Tigers on Thursday.
-
Mitch Moreland
HamstringQues Thurs | questionableMoreland has missed the previous four games with right hamstring soreness, and it is undetermined if he will be available Thursday versus the Tigers.
-
Burch Smith
GroinOut indefinitely | 10-day ILSmith has been added to the 10-day injured list with a strained right groin, and there is no timetable for his return.
-
Reymin Guduan
HandOut indefinitely | 10-day ILGuduan has been designated for the 10-day injured list with a sprained left thumb, and it is unclear when he will be available.
-
Chad Pinder
KneeOut indefinitely | 10-day ILPinder has been assigned to the 10-day injured list with a left knee sprain, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
-
Matt Olson
KneeQues Thurs | questionableOlson has sat out the last two games with a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will be available for Thursday's clash with the Astros.
-
Ramon Laureano
WristQues Wed | questionableLaureano has missed the past four games due to an injured left wrist, and it is uncertain if he will play Wednesday versus the Dodgers.
Trends
Houston Trends
- TrendUnder is 20-8-2 in Astros last 30 games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.Hit %71.40% (30)O/U8|20Push2W/L
- TrendUnder is 9-2 in Astros last 11 home games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.Hit %81.80% (11)O/U2|9Push0W/L
- TrendUnder is 5-1 in Astros last 6 games as a home favorite of -201 or greater.Hit %83.30% (6)O/U1|5Push0W/L
- TrendUnder is 6-0 in Astros last 6 games as a home underdog of +110 to +150.Hit %100.00% (6)O/U0|6Push0W/L
Oakland Trends
- TrendUnder is 4-1-1 in Athletics last 6 games as a road underdog of +201 or greater.Hit %80.00% (6)O/U1|4Push1W/L
- TrendUnder is 5-1 in Athletics last 6 games as a road favorite of -201 or greater.Hit %83.30% (6)O/U1|5Push0W/L
- TrendOver is 5-0-1 in Athletics last 6 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.Hit %100.00% (6)O/U5|0Push1W/L
- TrendOver is 3-1-1 in Athletics last 5 road games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.Hit %75.00% (5)O/U3|1Push1W/L
Meetings Trends
- TrendOver is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.Hit %75.00% (8)O/U6|2Push0W/L
- TrendAthletics are 1-6 in the last 7 meetings.Hit %14.30% (7)O/UPush0W/L1|6