ASTROS NEWS
Astros roster shake-up and injury updates heading into series finale with A's
Sep 12, 2024, 12:46 pm
The Astros will try to avoid the sweep against Oakland. Composite Getty Image.
Oakland Athletics (64-82) vs. Houston Astros (77-68)
Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston
Date: Thursday, 2:10 p.m. EDT
Pitching Probables:
- Athletics: Mitch Spence (7-9, 4.42 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 111 strikeouts)
- Astros: Framber Valdez (14-6, 2.97 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 153 strikeouts)
BETMGM Sportsbook:
- Line: Astros -236, Athletics +193
- Over/Under: 8 1/2 runs
Bottom Line:
The Houston Astros aim to halt a three-game skid as they host the Oakland Athletics in the final game of their three-game series. Houston, sitting atop the AL West with a 77-68 record, looks to stabilize after recent struggles. Despite their slump, the Astros are among the top power-hitting teams in the AL, ranking sixth with 170 home runs.
Oakland, with a 64-82 record, will try to play spoiler and win their second straight series against Houston. The A’s have been effective with the long ball, ranking sixth in MLB with 184 home runs, averaging 1.3 per game.
This is the 13th meeting between these division rivals this season, with the Astros holding a 7-5 advantage in the series.
Top Performers:
- Astros: Yordan Alvarez continues to anchor Houston’s offense, leading the team with a .313 batting average, 31 doubles, 32 home runs, and 80 RBI. Jose Altuve has been on a recent tear, hitting 14-for-39 with a home run and five RBI over his last 10 games. However, Altuve won't be in the lineup Thursday as he's day-to-day after exiting Wednesday's game early after injuring his side.
- Athletics: Brent Rooker leads Oakland’s offense with 35 home runs and a .577 slugging percentage. Shea Langeliers has also been productive lately, hitting 10-for-41 with three home runs and seven RBI in his last 10 games.
Last 10 Games:
- Astros: 4-6, .256 batting average, 3.80 ERA, outscored opponents by four runs.
- Athletics: 5-5, .253 batting average, 4.54 ERA, outscored by 21 runs.
La Grasa for game 3.
⚾️: 1:10pm
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#Relentless x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/DmnJo97Y26
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
With ace Framber Valdez on the mound, Houston will look to reverse their fortunes and secure a win as the regular season winds down. Mitch Spence will aim to keep Oakland competitive as they try to take another game from the AL West leaders.
Injury updates
Chas McCormick has been placed on the IL with a small fracture in his right hand. IF Grae Kessinger and LHP Bryan King have been recalled from Sugar Land.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES:
- IF Grae Kessinger and LHP Bryan King were recalled from Triple A Sugar Land.
- RHP Nick Hernandez was optioned to Triple A.
- OF Chas McCormick was placed on the 10-day IL with a small fracture in his right hand (retro to Sept. 11).
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Kyle Tucker is expected to play right field on Friday. He has only played as the DH since returning from injury. This would be a big step forward for King Tuck.
The plan is for Kyle Tucker to play right field tomorrow in Anaheim, Joe Espada said.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) September 12, 2024
Joe Espada provided an update on Altuve saying he is “better” today. He remains day-to-day.
Joe Espada said Jose Altuve is "better." Espada expected him "to come in and be more sore, especially after the way it looked yesterday" but Altuve was able to do some things in theweight room. He remains day to day.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) September 12, 2024
Article aided by ChatGBT.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
After dropping a frustrating series to the Chicago White Sox, the Houston Astros find themselves in a familiar position—searching for answers, but still within striking distance. Despite their inconsistency, Houston sits just three games behind the AL West-leading Mariners, who are currently 7 games over .500 and riding an 8-2 stretch. For as up-and-down as the Astros have been, the division remains tantalizingly close.
That inconsistency was on full display throughout the White Sox series. Jake Meyers and Zach Dezenzo each played the roles of both hero and heartbreaker. Dezenzo launched a massive home run in Game 3, a moment that energized the dugout and briefly shifted momentum. But his costly defensive error later in the game flipped the script. Meyers was a spark plug in Houston’s lone win, delivering a clutch performance at the plate, only to run the team out of a rally in the finale when he was picked off second—right before Jeremy Peña ripped what would have been an RBI single.
Jose Altuve’s struggles are quietly becoming more worrisome. He’s recorded just one multi-hit game since April 19 and has only one homer since April 8. On Sunday, he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had grinded through a 33-pitch inning—a decision that raised questions about his awareness in a veteran moment. Should manager Joe Espada have reminded Altuve of the situation? Or is this on Altuve, who should have known what to do as one of the team leaders?
Signs of life
There are flickers of life from the bats. Last week, Houston's team OPS was an underwhelming .667 (23rd in MLB), with a slugging percentage of .357 (25th). They've nudged those numbers up to .684 (19th) and .370 (21st), respectively. It’s modest progress, but enough to suggest this offense might be trending in the right direction. Still, their 5-5 record over the last 10 games feels emblematic of who they are right now—a .500 team with both talent and flaws.
Looking ahead
The upcoming schedule could be a turning point. Three of the next five opponents have losing records, and none of them are elite. This stretch offers a prime opportunity for Houston to finally build momentum and close the gap in the division—assuming the Mariners cool off from their current tear, which seems inevitable given their unsustainable 8-2 pace.
McCullers is officially back!
Lance McCullers returned for the first time since 2022 and, despite being limited to 3.2 innings due to command issues (three walks and a hit batter), there were encouraging signs. His velocity was there, and the stuff looked sharp. It’s a start, and perhaps a step toward stabilizing a rotation that still needs length.
Steering the ship
Manager Joe Espada, however, continues to draw scrutiny. His decision-making in the finale raised eyebrows again. Giving Isaac Paredes a day off when Yordan Alvarez was already sitting left the lineup depleted. Rather than using promising young infielder/outfielder Cam Smith, he opted for Mauricio Dubón and Brendan Rodgers—a defensive combo that didn't inspire confidence. It feels at times like Espada isn’t prioritizing winning the final game of a series, a pattern that could haunt the team down the stretch.
The plot thickens
Meanwhile, Christian Walker’s slump is dragging on. He went 0-for-5 twice in the last two series and looks out of sync at the plate. The Astros need more from their power hitters if they hope to make a real run. And with Alvarez now heading to the IL with hand inflammation, runs will be even harder to come by.
All told, this team still feels like one hovering just above or below .500. But in a division that remains wide open, the path forward is clear: play better, hope the Mariners come back to earth, and capitalize on a soft schedule. The race is far from over—but it’s time for Houston to start acting like contenders.
We have so much more to discuss. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
*ChatGPT assisted.
___________________________
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!