Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics Picks and Predictions May 16th 2024

Astros Looking to Clean Sweep the A’s as Cristian Javier Steps Up

Houston, TX — The Houston Astros are just a win away from dusting off the Oakland Athletics with a four-game sweep. Coming off a series dominated by their pitchers, the Astros are all set to throw right-hander Cristian Javier into the mix for a grand finale at home this Thursday night.

Astros’ Pitching Magic in Full Swing

In their last game, the Astros’ strategy to go deep with their pitchers paid off big time. Framber Valdez, the lefty starter, was on fire, easing up the load on the bullpen which had been picking up extra slack in the previous games. Valdez pitched a stunning seven scoreless innings on just 97 pitches, allowing only one reliever, Seth Martinez, to step in and seal the deal.

Astros’ skipper Joe Espada was all praises, saying, “Exactly what we needed. Framber took us deep into the game, and he nailed it. It was a stellar performance.”

Astros on the Verge

This latest win has nudged the Astros right up close to the Athletics in the American League West standings, sparking a major momentum shift. With four straight wins and taking six out of their last seven games, giving up just three runs in this series, Houston is hitting their stride. Espada added, “These guys are ace pitchers. We’ve been solid for years, and it looks like we’re hitting our groove at the right time.”

Cristian Javier Eyes a Comeback

Javier, sitting at a 2-1 record with a 4.01 ERA this season, is hungry for a comeback after a tough game against the Detroit Tigers where he gave up seven runs in just over an inning. He’s had a mixed bag of results against Oakland, but he’s aiming to channel the mojo from last season’s encounters where he posted a cool 2.53 ERA.

Rookie on the Radar

Facing off against Javier, Athletics rookie Joey Estes is gearing up for his first start against the Astros. Fresh off his first big-league win against the Seattle Mariners, Estes has been promising. But the A’s have struggled to back their pitchers with enough runs, something their manager Mark Kotsay pointed out, “Brooks gave us a chance to stay in the game. It’s just tough that our offense hasn’t been able to capitalize.”

Pitchers’ Showdown on the Horizon

With the Astros’ pitching lineup looking sharp and the Athletics desperate to snap their losing streak, Thursday’s game is shaping up to be a pivotal pitchers’ duel. It’s all about strategy and execution as both teams bank on their starters to deliver a compelling series finale.

This upcoming game is not just about the Astros eyeing a sweep but also about cementing their rise in the standings, making it a game you won’t want to miss if you’re a fan of tactical, high-stakes baseball.