Houston @ Oakland preview

Houston at Oakland

Last Meeting ( Aug 15, 2013 ) Houston 0, Oakland 5

After forging a tie atop the American League West, the host Oakland Athletics look to improve their standing on Thursday, when they open a four-game series against the division cellar-dwelling Houston Astros. The Athletics flexed their muscles versus fellow co-leader Texas, taking Wednesday's rubber match of the three-game series in decisive fashion. Josh Donaldson launched a three-run homer, Coco Crisp belted a two-run shot to complete a four-RBI performance and Brandon Moss and Daric Barton added two-run blasts in an 11-4 rout.

Should Oakland secure its sixth win in seven outings on Thursday, it will take over sole possession of first place in the AL West. The Athletics have throttled the division newcomer, recording a trio of three-game sweeps en route to winning 12 of 15 contests versus Houston. The Astros enter the series with some momentum, having posted a 6-5 triumph over Minnesota on Wednesday for their first walk-off win since defeating Oakland on July 23.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Houston), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Brad Peacock (3-5, 5.98 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Sonny Gray (2-2, 2.57)

Peacock saw his modest two-game winning streak come to a screeching halt as he permitted five runs over 4 2/3 innings in a 7-1 loss to Seattle on Friday. The 25-year-old walked four for the second time in four outings and has issued 52 free passes in 58 2/3 frames. Peacock has posted an 0-1 mark while lasting 4 1/3 innings on two occasions against the Athletics, who traded him to Houston in February.

Gray rebounded from a porous performance by authoring a stellar one in his last outing. After yielding six runs on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings against Baltimore, the 23-year-old rookie scattered five hits over 6 2/3 frames six days later en route to a 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay. Perhaps Gray's best performance came against Houston on Aug. 15, when he allowed four hits and struck out nine over eight scoreless innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Crisp, who has belted four homers in five games, has a career-high 18 this season. He is 3-for-4 with a blast against Peacock.

2. Houston C Jason Castro (knee) and 3B Matt Dominguez (illness) have sat out two straight games.

3. Athletics C Derek Norris is eligible to be activated from the disabled list on Thursday. Norris fractured his left big toe on Aug. 21.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, Astros 1