Houston @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2014 ) Houston 7, Oakland 9

Less than 24 hours after ending a three-game losing streak against their division rivals, the league-leading Oakland Athletics attempt to win the three-game series when they host the Houston Astros in the rubber match on Thursday afternoon. Oakland won the first five meetings between the clubs this season before dropping a 3-2 decision in the series opener. The Athletics jumped out to a huge lead on Wednesday before holding on for a 9-7 triumph and maintaining their two-game advantage over the Los Angeles Angels in the American League West.

All-Star Yoenis Cespedes, who claimed his second straight Home Run Derby title last week, went deep twice to end his career high-tying 25-game drought and John Jaso went 3-for-3 with two RBIs as Oakland improved to 9-2 over its last 11 home contests. Houston continued to give the Athletics fits, however, staging a five-run rally in the eighth inning to reduce its seven-run deficit before suffering its fourth loss in six games. The Astros will be without rookie George Springer, who landed on the disabled list Wednesday with a strained left quadriceps.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, CSN (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Scott Feldman (4-7, 4.30 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Jeff Samardzija (3-8, 2.91)

Feldman bounced back from a disastrous outing by limiting the White Sox to three runs over seven innings in Chicago on Friday but still suffered his fifth loss in six decisions. The 31-year-old has kept Houston in the game over his last eight starts, surrendering more than three runs only once in that span. Feldman, who is 1-3 despite a 2.95 ERA in eight road outings this season, has struggled to a 5-6 record and 6.10 ERA in 22 career games (13 starts) against Oakland.

Samardzija's runs allowed total has risen in each of his last two starts after he yielded one over seven innings in a victory over Toronto in his debut for Oakland on July 6. The 29-year-old gave up three runs in eight frames of a loss at Seattle on July 11 and was reached for four runs over seven innings by Baltimore on Friday but escaped with a no-decision. Samardzija has made only three career starts against Houston but is 4-2 with a 3.65 ERA in 18 overall appearances versus the Astros.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston has scored 21 runs over its last three games after producing a total of 11 in its previous five contests. The lack of offense came after the club outscored Texas 28-14 during a three-game sweep.

2. Cespedes, who matched his career high with five RBIs on Wednesday, exited in the seventh inning with a sprained right thumb and is likely to miss the series finale.

3. The Athletics and Astros meet again in Houston next week for a three-game series.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Astros 1