Is Bud Norris making his final start as a Houston Astro today at 2:05 p.m. against the Oakland Athletics (58-42)? Live stream the matinee rubber match of Oakland and Houston's (34-65) three-game American League West series here; Oakland fans can hear the action on 95.7 FM The Game, while Astros fans can tune in to KBME 790.
Norris (6-9, 3.91 ERA) has been the subject of swaths of trade rumors heading toward the 2013 deadline. He was rumored as a potential target for the Texas Rangers should a deal for Matt Garza fall through, but the Rangers were able to nab the former Cub.
Norris has been abysmal in his past two starts, failing to last even six innings in either outing. He surrendered 11 hits and seven runs against the St. Louis Cardinals, following up that performance with a 5.2-inning effort in which he gave up six hits and six runs.
Astros general manager Jeff Lunhow was unable to put his starter at ease when asked about Norris' status. Lunhow said, "Lot of chatter and no activity on our side right now."
Opposing Norris will be A.J. Griffin (8-6, 3.82 ERA) who served up three home runs in five innings of work in his most recent outing. A's manager Bob Melvin was not alarmed by the gopher balls though, saying, "It means he's trying to get ahead, throw strikes. Guys who have good command tend to give up homers sometimes."
The good news for Griffin is that even if he gives up some home runs today, Yoenis Cespedes is back in the lineup to back him up. The 2013 Home Run Derby champ has been out since the All-Star break with a sore wrist, but returned last night as a pinch hitter and laced a double. The A's slugger is hitting just .227 this season, but has 15 home runs.
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