A's, Astros should feel optimistic in Game 4

The A's were nine outs from elimination Wednesday afternoon, and center fielder Ramón Laureano had just finished an impromptu dugout pep talk in which he said ...

"I can't repeat some of it," third baseman Chad Pinder would say later.

Game	Date	Result	Highlights
Gm 1	Oct. 5	HOU 10, OAK 5	Watch
Gm 2	Oct. 6	HOU 5, OAK 2	Watch
Gm 3	Oct. 7	OAK 9, HOU 7	Watch
Gm 4	Oct. 8	HOU 11, OAK 6	Watch

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Pinder offered this tidbit: "Just thinking about it now gives me chills."

Pinder said he had to take a moment to calm himself before stepping into the batter's box and delivering the hit that may have changed this entire American League Division Series against the Astros.

Down three runs in the seventh inning, Pinder launched a three-run, game-tying homer to right, and the A's rode a long list of heroes to a 9-7 victory Wednesday in Game 3 at Dodger Stadium.

The Astros still lead the best-of-five series 2-1 and can close it out as early as Game 4 on Thursday. On the other hand, momentum is fleeting in this kind of series, and the A's definitely felt it shift when Pinder's ball sailed just out of the reach of Houston right fielder Kyle Tucker.

"Yeah, that was more like an earthquake than a shift," A's manager Bob Melvin said.

Regardless of what happens now, this series could not be more entertaining. These are two really good teams, familiar with one another, who have been hoping for this matchup.

The A's and Astros have combined for 18 home runs and 38 runs in three games in which there have been seven lead changes. In Game 3 on Wednesday, the Astros had leads of 2-1 in the first inning and 7-4 in the fifth. This game, finally, exposed a bullpen that Houston has known all along would be its biggest concern.

With the baseball flying out of Dodger Stadium and both pitching staffs stressed entering Game 4, let's break things down, giving fans of both teams reason for hope.

Starting pitching

A's (Frankie Montas): He was Oakland's Opening Day starter and had a 1.57 ERA after four starts. Montas had a pair of solid starts in September, too. Otherwise, this was not his best season (3-5, 5.60 ERA). But in three starts against the Astros, he was really good twice (2-1, 4.11 ERA).

Why this will work: Because Montas is potentially the best pitcher on either staff. Also, having had past success against the Astros -- for instance, seven shutout innings on Aug. 8 -- should boost his confidence. Also, A's manager Bob Melvin will have a quick hook Thursday and will turn the game over to a bullpen that's better than Houston's.

Astros (TBD): No gamesmanship here. The Astros simply don't know who'll start Game 3. Houston entered this series knowing potentially playing five days in a row might reveal how thin its pitching is. If Zack Greinke is physically able to go, it's his game.

Why this will work: Even if Greinke can't go, the Astros have gotten extraordinary work by rotating starters into the bullpen for short stints, and that may be their best option for Game 4.

Bullpen

A's: Closer Liam Hendriks threw 37 pitches and got the final nine outs in Game 3. Afterwards, Hendriks announced he'd be ready to go another inning or two in Game 4 if needed.

Why this will work: Because the A's had MLB's best bullpen in 2020, and despite some rough spots this week, Melvin has an assortment of options to finish the game.

Astros: If Greinke can get nine outs, Baker could try to get, say, five innings from right-handers Cristian Javier and Enoli Paredes to get the game into closer Ryan Pressly's hands in the eighth or ninth. This strategy helped the Astros win their first four games of the postseason.

Why this will work: Until Thursday, Astros relievers had pitched 16 2/3 innings without allowing a run. Mixing and matching starters in relief roles wouldn't work over a full season, but in a postseason sprint, it just might.

Offense

A's: Oakland averaged just 4.21 runs per game in September, 21st-highest in MLB. This week, the A's bats have come alive, scoring 16 runs and hitting 10 home runs in three games against the Astros.

Why this will work: Hitting is contagious, and the A's hit five home runs in Game 3. Pinder, Marcus Semien and Khris Davis have come alive this week. Oakland has picked a perfect time to have some of its best and most productive at-bats of the season.

Astros: Houston is hitting .302 with eight home runs in the first three games of this series. The Astros' dugout has that street party look of 2017. Their confidence could not be higher.

Why this will work: With George Springer, Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman all hitting, this becomes one of MLB's deepest and best offenses. They're one victory from a fourth straight trip to the AL Championship Series and have gotten some of their 2019 swagger back.