Oakland Athletics vs Houston Astros Picks and Predictions July 24th 2024

Hunter Brown, Astros attempt to cool Athletics’ bats

One night after Oakland‘s pitching delivered a 4-0 shutout, the A’s unleashed their bats, hitting five home runs in an 8-2 victory over Houston on Tuesday.

The Athletics have been red-hot since the All-Star break, hitting ten home runs and outscoring their opponents 38-15 over a 4-1 stretch against the Los Angeles Angels and the Astros. This offensive surge includes 14 doubles and two triples.

Lawrence Butler’s Stellar Performance

Right fielder Lawrence Butler has been at the forefront of Oakland’s resurgence. He started Tuesday’s game with a defensive gem, throwing out Alex Bregman at the plate. Butler, batting leadoff, also hit a triple, his 10th home run, and a double, going 12-for-19 since the All-Star break. This follows a three-homer performance in Philadelphia before the break.

“This kid just has momentum right now. He’s playing great baseball,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “This is the type of baseball, when we brought him up last year, I thought he was capable of playing. Now you’re starting to see it every day, which is awesome.”

Hunter Brown’s Career Against Oakland

Brown, with an 8-6 record and a 4.14 ERA, has a history of success against the Athletics. He has faced Oakland hitters Lawrence Butler, Shea Langeliers, and Zack Gelof 12 times, striking them out seven times without allowing a hit. In four career starts against Oakland, Brown is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA, striking out 30 batters in 24 innings.

The 25-year-old has been on fire in his last eight starts, going 7-1 with a 1.84 ERA, including a six-inning shutout against the Seattle Mariners after the All-Star break.

“We’re just being us, being the Houston Astros,” Brown said of the team’s first-place status. “This clubhouse is loaded with talent on the offensive side, defense, pitching and everything about it. Just playing our brand of baseball and feeling good about it.”

JP Sears: Oakland’s Steady Hand

Opposing Brown will be Oakland’s left-hander JP Sears, who is 7-7 with a 4.49 ERA. Sears has been reliable for the A’s, going unbeaten in his last four starts with a 3-0 record and a 2.42 ERA. In a May 14 start against Houston, Sears limited the Astros to one run over five innings. His career against Houston includes a 3.41 ERA in six games.

Key Matchup: Bregman vs. Sears

Alex Bregman has found success against Sears, hitting .357 with two homers in 14 at-bats. This individual matchup could be pivotal in determining the outcome of the game.

High Stakes in the AL West

The Astros are in a tight race for the top spot in the AL West, tied with the Mariners. Brown’s stellar recent form and the overall talent in the Astros’ clubhouse are crucial as they seek to regain sole possession of first place.

Conclusion

As Hunter Brown takes the mound, the Astros will rely on his proven track record against the Athletics to stave off a sweep and maintain their position atop the AL West. The game promises to be a clash of momentum, with Oakland’s offensive surge facing the formidable pitching of Brown.

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