ASTROS-A'S PREVIEW
Critical factors at play in Astros' showdown with Athletics
May 27, 2025, 2:20 pm
The Astros host the A's Tuesday night. Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Image.
The Houston Astros (28-25) will open a two-game series against the Oakland Athletics (23-31) on Tuesday night, as both teams look to build momentum in very different contexts. The Astros are fighting to keep pace in the AL West, while the Athletics are trying to stop the bleeding after a 1-9 stretch.
Pitching matchup
Tuesday’s matchup features Hunter Brown (6-3, 2.04 ERA), who has become a stabilizing force in a rotation that’s been hit hard by injuries. Brown boasts a sparkling 0.91 WHIP and 71 strikeouts over 66.2 innings, ranking among the league’s most efficient starters in May.
Oakland counters with JP Sears (4-4, 4.00 ERA), who’s been steady but unspectacular this season. Sears owns a solid 1.15 WHIP and will look to keep the ball in the park against a Houston lineup that’s showing signs of waking up.
Astros heating up
Houston enters the series 6-4 in its last 10 games and 18-10 at home. The offense has quietly started to produce again, hitting .275 over that 10-game stretch. Jose Altuve remains a key contributor, going 11-for-38 with a pair of home runs. Isaac Paredes continues to anchor the middle of the lineup with 11 homers, a .276 average, and the versatility to move around the infield.
Pitching has also steadied, with the Astros posting a 3.51 team ERA during their recent run. With Brown on the mound, Houston will look to keep pressure on AL West rivals while making the most of this two-game home opportunity.
A’s slumping but still dangerous
Oakland enters Tuesday’s contest with the worst record in the AL West and little momentum. The A’s have lost nine of their last 10 and have been outscored by 26 runs during that stretch. The team’s 5.79 ERA over that period has made it hard to stay in games, even as the offense ranks sixth in MLB with a .419 slugging percentage.
Brent Rooker leads the power surge with 12 homers and a .468 slugging mark. Miguel Andújar has been one of the few bright spots lately, going 15-for-43 with three doubles and a home run over the past 10 games.
First meeting of the season
This marks the first meeting between the Astros and Athletics in 2025. Houston has had the upper hand in the rivalry in recent years and will look to keep that trend going. Oddsmakers agree: the Astros are -207 favorites on the BetMGM moneyline, with the over/under set at 7.5 runs.
With Houston surging behind elite starting pitching and Oakland trying to find stability, Tuesday’s matchup offers a sharp contrast in direction—and a clear opportunity for the Astros to keep stacking wins at home.
Here's an early look at tonight's lineup!
.@hellokitty Night!
⚾️: 7:10pm
🏟️: Closed
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— Houston Astros (@astros) May 27, 2025
Altuve is hitting third in the DH spot, with Chas McCormick hitting eighth and getting the start in left field. Meyers is hitting fifth and Mauricio Dubon is starting at second base and hitting ninth.
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The Houston Astros return to action Tuesday night in West Sacramento, looking to even their series with the Athletics after a tough loss in the opener. Though the Astros remain in first place in the AL West at 41-31, they’ve yet to find their full rhythm on the road, entering this matchup with a 14-18 record away from home.
Houston turns to recently recalled right-hander Jason Alexander, who will be making his fifth appearance of the season — but his first in an Astros uniform. All four of his previous outings in 2025 came with the A's, where he posted an 18.00 ERA across six innings.
With the Astros riding a recent stretch of strong pitching — boasting a 2.60 team ERA over their last 10 games — Alexander will try to keep the rotation’s momentum going.
Oakland counters with JP Sears, a lefty who’s logged a 5-5 record and 5.08 ERA this season. While the numbers don’t jump off the page, Sears has shown flashes of dependability and will be facing a Houston lineup that’s starting to click. The Astros are hitting .261 over their last 10 games and have gone 13-4 in games where they’ve launched at least two home runs — a trend they’ll hope continues in this one.
The Athletics, meanwhile, come in at 30-44 overall and 13-23 at home. But despite their struggles, they’ve gone 6-4 over their last 10, getting solid production from their pitching staff, which has posted a 3.06 ERA during that stretch. Oakland’s offense has been led by Brent Rooker, who enters the game with 15 home runs and a .491 slugging percentage. Max Muncy has also been a bright spot lately, with four home runs and 11 RBIs in his last 10 games.
For Houston, veteran second baseman/left fielder Jose Altuve continues to lead the charge. The former MVP has 10 doubles and 11 home runs on the year and remains one of the most reliable bats in the Astros lineup.
Tuesday night marks the fourth meeting of the season between these division rivals, with the Athletics currently holding a 1-0 edge in the series. First pitch is set for 10:05 p.m. EDT, as the Astros look to get back on track and reassert their dominance in the AL West.
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*ChatGPT assisted.
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