Manager Joe Espada's attempt to explain a walk-off win Sunday trailed off into an appropriate admission. "I don't know, speechless," he said. A depleted Houston Astros team is authoring its hottest stretch of the first half.

Aaron Civale is a Chicago White Sox starting pitcher — for now. The 30-year-old right-hander joined the White Sox this week after he was traded to them by the Milwaukee Brewers. This came after he asked for a trade when was moved to the bullpen as Milwaukee made way for the Major League debut of its top pitching prospect, Jacob Misiorowski.

BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros will attempt to prolong a five-game win streak with a victory against the Athletics. The Athletics are 29-44 overall and 12-23 in home games. The Athletics are third in the AL with 90 total home runs, averaging 1.2 per game.

Why the Houston Astros must avoid trading top pitching prospect Miguel Ullola before the 2025 deadline to protect their future.

Play him at second base, outfielder or designated hitter and it doesn’t matter. Houston Astros star Jose Altuve keeps producing.

The call-up of outfield prospect Jacob Melton has produced a cutback in Jose Altuve ’s appearances in left field. But the Houston Astros are not abandoning the plan to use Altuve in left, manager Joe Espada said.

Mike Tauchman homered in the ninth, but the Chicago White Sox couldn’t complete the comeback in a 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros on Thursday.

A Houston team crippled by injuries and held together by castoffs continues to win, walking off Minnesota on Sunday in 10 innings.