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Astros Seek Bounce-Back Win Against Athletics
Houston looks to rebound after Friday's blowout loss in Oakland
Apr. 4, 2026 at 7:03pm
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The Houston Astros (5-3) will look to bounce back from a lopsided loss to the Athletics (2-5) when the two AL West foes meet again on Saturday afternoon. Houston's high-powered offense will face off against Oakland's struggling pitching staff in the second game of the series.
Why it matters
The Astros are aiming to regain their early-season momentum after seeing their five-game winning streak snapped in Friday's 11-4 defeat. A win would help Houston maintain its position atop the division, while the Athletics are hoping to build on their rare victory and pull off another upset.
The details
The Astros have been one of the most productive offenses in baseball so far, ranking third in runs scored per game (6.13) and fifth in OPS (.797). However, their pitching staff has struggled with a 5.12 ERA and 2.84 HR/9. The Athletics, on the other hand, have the fourth-lowest OPS (.614) and second-worst on-base percentage (.266) in the majors, though their pitching has been slightly better with a 4.28 ERA. Both teams will send young right-handers to the mound, with Tatsuya Imai making his second MLB start for Houston and Luis Morales looking to rebound after a tough first outing for Oakland.
- The game is scheduled for a 4:05 p.m. ET first pitch on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
- The Astros had their five-game winning streak snapped with Friday's 11-4 loss to the Athletics.
The players
Tatsuya Imai
The Astros' young right-hander is making his second MLB start after struggling with command issues in his debut.
Luis Morales
The Athletics' right-hander is looking to bounce back after allowing five earned runs in 4.1 innings in his first start of the season.
Yordan Alvarez
The Astros' slugger is a key part of their potent lineup, which has been one of the best in baseball so far this year.
What’s next
The Astros will look to regain their early-season form and maintain their position atop the AL West, while the Athletics will try to build on their rare victory and pull off another upset.
The takeaway
This matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions, with the high-powered Astros offense looking to bounce back against the struggling Athletics pitching staff. The outcome could have significant implications for the early-season standings in the AL West.
