Preview: Astros Look to Continue Hot Start Against Struggling Athletics

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Houston Astros will look to build on their strong early-season form when they visit the struggling Athletics on Saturday evening at Sutter Health Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:07 p.m. PDT under clear skies with a game-time temperature of 73 degrees.

The Astros (5-2) enter having won five of their last six, including a three-game sweep of Boston this week. They opened this four-game series with a 1-1 tie against the Athletics on Friday. Houston’s offense has been potent, averaging over six runs per game in its victories.

Oakland (1-5) seeks its first win since Tuesday after dropping two of three in Atlanta. The Athletics’ pitching staff has been taxed, a trend they hope to reverse in the second game of this homestand.

The pitching matchup features two right-handers seeking their first win of 2026. Houston will start Tatsuya Imai (0-0), who makes his season debut. counters with Luis Morales (0-1, 0.00 ERA in one relief appearance). Morales will make his first start after two scoreless relief outings, including two innings against Atlanta on Wednesday.

A key player for Houston is starter Mike Burrows, who earned the win Wednesday against Boston, allowing two runs over five innings. For Oakland, reliever Luis Medina has provided stability, tossing two scoreless frames in his last appearance.

According to Interstat, the Astros are projected as favorites with a 55.6% probability to win. Their game simulator predicts an 8-2 Houston victory. The Astros are installed as a -1.5 run favorite, with an over/under of 10 runs.

Following Saturday’s contest, the series concludes Sunday before Houston travels to Colorado and begins an East Coast road trip in New York.