Oakland @ Houston preview

Oakland at Houston

Last Meeting ( May 26, 2013 ) Oakland 6, Houston 2

The Oakland Athletics look to take advantage of a struggling Houston Astros club when they visit their American League West rivals for the opener of a three-game series on Monday. Oakland got out of the gate slow after the All-Star break, losing its first two contests before posting a 6-0 victory in the finale of a three-game road set against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. Bartolo Colon tossed his third shutout of the season as the division-leading Athletics scored more than four runs for the first time in nine contests.

Oakland is likely to be without Yoenis Cespedes for a fourth straight game due to a sore left wrist. The Home Run Derby champion injured himself during batting practice on Friday and missed the entire series against the Angels. Houston suffered a three-game sweep against Seattle and has lost five straight contests and eight of its last nine.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), CSN Houston

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Tommy Milone (8-8, 4.24 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (4-5, 4.62)

Milone has had plenty of time to rest, as he has not pitched since July 10, when he lasted only 2 2/3 innings in a loss at Pittsburgh. The 26-year-old yielded three runs in that outing and has surrendered at least three in each of his last five starts. Milone escaped with a no-decision at Houston on May 24 after giving up five runs and eight hits over seven innings.

Keuchel's winless streak reached four starts on July 13, when he received a no-decision after allowing three runs in 5 1/3 innings at Tampa Bay. The 25-year-old has not won since yielding two runs over 6 1/3 frames against the Chicago White Sox on June 16. Keuchel lost his first career start versus Oakland on May 26, as he was battered for six runs and 10 hits in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milone is 5-1 when having more than five days of rest between starts.

2. The Astros have dropped nine of their last 10 home games.

3. Oakland CF Coco Crisp has not recorded an extra-base hit since June 21, a span of 21 contests.

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Athletics 3