Houston @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 16, 2013 ) Houston 3, Oakland 4

The Oakland Athletics carry the best record in the American League into Wednesday’s series finale against the visiting Houston Astros, who have lost four straight since winning three in a row. Oakland has won all five meetings against the Astros this season, outscoring them 38-14. Oakland, which is off to its best start since 1990, has won 10 straight games against teams from the American League West.

Houston has lost 10 of 13 since winning their season opener March 31, but manager Bo Porter remained patient after Tuesday’s 4-3 loss. “There’s no panic,” Porter told reporters. “We're going to start to find a way to win these kinds of games.” The Astros could learn from Oakland, which leads the majors in runs (89) and walks (64). The Athletics are 11-0 when scoring four runs or more, and second baseman Eric Sogard is batting .297 after recording a career-high three hits Tuesday.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Houston

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Bud Norris (2-1, 1.96 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Bartolo Colon (1-0, 4.15)

Norris continued to impress Friday against the Angels by throwing seven shutout innings in his 100th career major-league start. The 28-year-old Norris is 4-1 with a 1.14 ERA in his last five starts dating to last season. He faced Oakland for the first time in his career April 6, allowing five runs (two earned) over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-3 loss at Minute Maid Park. Seth Smith homered against Norris, who owns a 14-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio through two starts.

Colon made his season debut against the Astros on April 6, earning the win after giving up three runs over six innings. Jason Castro provided Houston’s lone highlight with a three-run homer off Colon, who ranks fourth among active pitchers in complete games (32). The 39-year-old Colon followed with a solid outing against Detroit on Friday when he gave up three runs in seven frames. Astros first baseman Carlos Pena is 10-for-33 (.303) with three home runs and 15 strikeouts in his career against Colon.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros are 1-10 all-time against the Athletics.

2. The Athletics placed 1B Brandon Moss on the paternity leave list Tuesday and recalled OF Shane Peterson from Triple-A Sacramento.

3. Astros RF Rick Ankiel has 20 strikeouts with no walks in 27 at-bats this season.

PREDICTION: Athletics 3, Astros 1