Jack Perkins (2-2, 5.46) gets the ball for the Athletics opposite Peter Lambert (4-4, 3.77) for first pitch at 7:10 PM CT. Lambert is the steadier name on paper after a 5-inning, 2-ER win over the Brewers last time out, but he doesn't miss bats — 3 strikeouts on 90 pitches — so the A's bats can absolutely get into him if they're picking up spin.
Houston is in a weird spot. They sit at 28-36 with a brutal injury list — Altuve, Correa, Diaz, Hunter Brown, McCullers, Javier, Blanco — and just got punched out 5-1 by the Pirates to close that series. The A's, meanwhile, blew a winnable finale in Chicago 7-6 and travel in on a sour note, with Brent Rooker missing Thursday's lineup and listed day-to-day.
The Athletics rotation is held together with tape. Severino is shelved 4-to-6 weeks with a shoulder capsule strain, Civale is just now starting a throwing progression, and Hoglund is done for the year. That's why a guy with a 5.46 ERA is making this start instead of pitching multi-inning relief, which is where Perkins has actually looked sharpest this season.
- Day-To-DayBrent Rooker DH — Rooker is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.
- Day-To-DayLeo De Vries SS — De Vries went 3-for-5 with two solo home runs Sunday for Double-A Midland.
- 10-Day-ILMax Muncy 3B — Muncy (hand) will serve as the designated hitter for Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILJacob Wilson SS — Wilson (shoulder) has been ramping up his baseball activities and could begin a rehab assignment next week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILAaron Civale SP — Civale (shoulder) began a throwing progression Monday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILLuis Severino SP — The Athletics announced Tuesday that Severino has been diagnosed with a strain of his right shoulder capsule and subscapularis muscle and will be re-evaluated in 4-to-6 weeks, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILBrooks Kriske RP — Kriske (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for at least three weeks, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILDenzel Clarke CF — Clarke (hamstring) will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DayWalker Janek C — Double-A Corpus Christi placed Janek on its 7-day injured list Sunday due to an unspecified injury.
- 10-Day-ILYainer Diaz C — Diaz (oblique) has been hitting, throwing and catching bullpen sessions during workouts this week and is close to heading out on a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILJose Altuve 2B — Altuve (oblique) is slated to take live batting practice Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILBraden Shewmake SS — Shewmake (groin) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
- 15-Day-ILBennett Sousa RP — The Astros announced Friday that Sousa (elbow) has begun a throwing progression, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
- 15-Day-ILLance McCullers Jr. SP — The Astros announced Friday that McCullers (shoulder) began a throwing progression, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
- 60-Day-ILBrandon Walter SP — The Astros announced Friday that Walter (elbow) is in the midst of a throwing progression at the team's complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
- 60-Day-ILCristian Javier SP — Javier (shoulder) recorded two outs -- both via strikeout -- and was charged with two earned runs on two hits and two walks in a rehab start Wednesday with Double-A Corpus Christi.
The angle to watch is Houston's bullpen workload. They blew a 5-run lead earlier this week before bailing themselves out 11-9, then went quiet offensively on Thursday. Lambert isn't a length guy, so if the A's chase him by the 5th, this becomes a battle of two depleted pens — and that usually means runs. Take the over feeling if you're squinting at a board with no posted total.
Bottom line: this is two sub-.500 clubs trying to stop bleeding. The Astros are the more talented roster when healthy. They are not healthy. Lean into the chaos.