Can the A's (29-44) finally beat the Astros on June 17, 2025? Oakland seeks its first win vs. Houston this season, fueled by a recent offensive hot streak.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a familiar, frustrating story for the Oakland A's this season: the Houston Astros are in town. But as the teams prepare to face off at Sutter Health Park tonight, there's a different feeling in the air. The A's have yet to solve the Houston puzzle in 2025, but a recent surge in performance suggests they might finally have the key to unlock a victory against their division nemesis.
Over their last 10 games, the A's have flipped the script, averaging 5.1 runs scored versus just 3.6 runs allowed—a sign of life for a team looking to make a statement.
Let's not sugarcoat it: the Astros have been the A's kryptonite all season. Oakland enters tonight's contest winless against Houston, a painful thorn in the side of a team trying to build momentum. At 29-44, the A's are still looking up from the bottom of the AL West, and facing the favored Astros is the ultimate test. A win tonight in West Sacramento wouldn't just be a notch in the standings; it would be a massive psychological victory.
Despite their overall record and struggles with Houston, the A's have quietly been playing much better baseball lately. The numbers don't lie: over the last 10 games, the offense has come alive, plating 5.1 runs per game, a significant jump from their season average of 4.27. The pitching has been even more impressive, allowing just 3.6 runs in that same span, way down from the 5.82 they've allowed on the year. Contributors like Tyler Soderstrom and Luis Urías have provided a spark at the plate, while closer Mason Miller remains a lockdown force with 14 saves.
While the on-field action heats up, the front office remains quiet. There were no roster moves, trades, or farm system call-ups announced today. This means manager Mark Kotsay is rolling with the same squad that has generated this recent positive trend. The team is still feeling the absence of Zack Gelof and Brett Harris on the injured list, but for now, the A's are banking on the current group to continue its improved play and tackle the challenge ahead.
Tonight is more than just another game on the schedule. It's a barometer for this A's team. Is their recent success sustainable against the top dogs? Can they finally overcome their biggest obstacle in the AL West? All eyes will be on Sutter Health Park to see if the A's can finally get the Houston monkey off their back and prove their recent surge is the real deal.
