The Athletics have a 2-0 series lead and hope to sweep the Houston Astros on Thursday at Sutter Health Park, at 3:35 p.m. ET. Framber Valdez (12-11, 3.75 ERA) will start for the Astros, who are 84-74 this season and second in the AL West. J.T. Ginn (4-6, 4.57 ERA) is starting for the Athletics, who are 75-83 and fourth in the AL West.
How to watch Houston Astros at AthleticsAstros vs. Athletics odds
Injury reportsAstros
Yordan Alvarez: 10 Day IL (Ankle), Lance McCullers: 15 Day IL (Hand), Spencer Arrighetti: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Bennett Sousa: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Josh Hader: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Brandon Walter: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ronel Blanco: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Zach Dezenzo: 60 Day IL (Hand), John Rooney: 60 Day IL (Concussion / nasal), Kaleb Ort: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Brendan Rodgers: 60 Day IL (Oblique), Hayden Wesneski: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Luis Garcia: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Pedro Leon: 60 Day IL (Knee), Jeremy Pena: day-to-day (Oblique)
Athletics
Denzel Clarke: 10 Day IL (Abductor), Zack Gelof: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), Sean Newcomb: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Joey Estes: 15 Day IL (Back), Jacob Lopez: 15 Day IL (Flexor), Jack Perkins: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Luis Medina: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ben Bowden: 60 Day IL (Lat), Austin Wynns: 60 Day IL (Abdomen), Grant Holman: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Gunnar Hoglund: 60 Day IL (Hip), Jose Leclerc: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)
Stats to know
Houston’s Jose Altuve has hit 26 home runs this season. He has also tallied 75 RBIs and has scored 78 runs. In 645 plate appearances, he has recorded a .263 BA, .326 OBP and .441 SLG with an 8.2% walk rate and a 16.4% strikeout rate. He has been effective on the base paths, recording 10 steals on 16 attempts.
In 543 plate appearances, Jeremy Pena is hitting .304/.363/.477 with a .840 OPS and 20 steals on 22 attempts. He has hit 17 long balls, driven in 62 runs and scored 68 times.
Brent Rooker is hitting for a .264 BA, .335 OBP and .484 SLG with a 21.7% strikeout rate and a 9% walk rate. His OPS is .819 and he has scored 91 runs. In 688 plate appearances, he has hit 30 home runs and driven in 89 runs.
In 611 plate appearances, Tyler Soderstrom has hit 25 long balls, tallied 93 RBIs and scored 74 runs. He is batting .280/.349/.480 and has posted a 22.6% strikeout rate and an 8.7% walk rate. Soderstrom has recorded eight steals on 11 attempts.
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