Oakland @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( May 25, 2013 ) Oakland 11, Houston 5

The Oakland Athletics look for their third series sweep of the Houston Astros on Sunday, when the teams conclude their three-game set. The Athletics improved to 13-1 all-time against the Astros on Saturday with an 11-5 win - their eighth victory in as many meetings this season. Oakland's Chris Young, a native of Houston, extended his hitting streak to 16 games against the Astros in Saturday’s triumph. He’s batting .434 in 20 career games at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros haven’t figured out how to beat Oakland, but they’re starting to receive solid production from two of their regulars. Jason Castro and Matt Dominguez hit two homers apiece on Saturday, and Dominguez has seven blasts in his last 12 games. The Athletics are hoping to have Jed Lowrie back in the lineup Sunday as the shortstop has missed the last three games with a bruised right foot.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), CSN (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Bartolo Colón (4-2, 4.31 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (1-1, 4.93)

Colón turned 40 on Friday and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. He lowered his ERA to 4.31 last Monday against Texas, giving up two runs over seven innings. The former Cy Young Award winner is 3-0 with a 3.24 ERA in five starts against American League West opponents this season, including a 2-0 mark and 3.00 ERA in two outings versus the Astros. His control remains as good as ever, as he has issued only four walks in his first 54 1/3 innings.

The Astros are 2-1 in Keuchel’s three starts since moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation on May 10. He earned his first victory of the season last Monday against the Kansas City Royals, allowing four runs over 6 2/3 innings. “He commanded the ball good,” Royals manager Ned Yost told reporters. “He changed speeds. He kept the ball down and away really well. He was real consistent.”

WALK-OFFS

1. Colon will be the fourth pitcher in Oakland history to start a game at age 40.

2. The Astros are 1-27 when trailing after six innings.

3. Houston has been outscored 62-29 in its eight losses to Oakland this season.

PREDICTION: Athletics 7, Astros 3