Opinion
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Athletics Set to Reclaim Their Form Against Astros in a Must-Watch Battle

The Oakland Athletics are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying encounter against the Houston Astros at the Oakland Coliseum. After a series of challenging games, the Athletics are poised to demonstrate their resilience and skill in a bid to turn their fortunes around.


May 16, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (53) walks in the dugout before the game against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

In their recent matchups, the Athletics have shown glimpses of brilliance but have struggled to maintain consistency. On May 19, despite a valiant effort, they fell short against the Kansas City Royals with an 8-4 defeat. The game highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement for OAK. Their ability to rally late in the game, scoring three runs in the ninth inning, showcased their never-say-die attitude and potential for clutch performances.


However, it's clear that pitching remains an area needing attention. With an ERA of 9 from their bullpen during that game and allowing eight earned runs overall, tightening up on the mound will be crucial against an Astros team known for its offensive prowess.


May 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) tags up to third base against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

On May 18, OAK displayed better control from their bullpen with a reduced ERA of 3 over three innings pitched but still suffered a narrow loss of 5-3 against KC. This performance indicates that when OAK's pitchers find their rhythm, they can significantly impact the game's outcome by limiting opposing teams' scoring opportunities.


Despite these setbacks, there are positive takeaways from these games that could signal a turning point for OAK as they prepare to face HOU. One such aspect is their hitting performance on May 17; although resulting in a 6-2 loss to KC, OAK managed two runs off four hits including one home run in just nine innings - demonstrating efficiency in converting hits into scores.


May 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Oakland Athletics outfielder JJ Bleday (33) walks from second base to the dugout after being left on base against the Houston Astros  in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Facing HOU will undoubtedly be challenging; however, if OAK leverages its late-game hitting capabilities while addressing pitching vulnerabilities seen on May 19 and maintaining bullpen improvements observed on May 18th - there is every reason to believe they can emerge victorious.


The upcoming clash scheduled for May 26 at Oakland Coliseum at precisely 8:07 PM promises high stakes and thrilling baseball action. Fans eager not to miss this pivotal moment can catch all live broadcasts exclusively on SCHN network – where every pitch counts towards defining Athletics' season trajectory.

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