Houston @ Oakland preview

Houston at Oakland

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2013 ) Houston 1, Oakland 2

The Oakland Athletics are doing their best to repeat as American League West champions - and taking advantage of their newest division rival in the process. Winners of 10 of 13, the Athletics vie for their 15th victory in 19 meetings with the visiting Houston Astros when the teams wrap up their season series on Sunday. Yoenis Cespedes continues to pave the way, as he swatted a solo homer in Saturday's 2-1 triumph to improve to 11-for-28 (.393) with four runs scored in September.

Jed Lowrie belted a two-out shot in the seventh inning as Oakland moved a season-best 22 games over .500 - and 1 1/2 ahead of Texas in the division. Houston, which resides comfortably in the basement, has dropped nine of 12 while falling to 6-10 as it legs out a stretch of 20 games in as many days. Brandon Barnes' tough series continued after he was caught attempting to steal third base with two outs in the eighth inning.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Houston), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Paul Clemens (4-4, 5.91 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Bartolo Colon (14-6, 2.90)

Clemens yielded four runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings against Minnesota on Monday but walked away with a no-decision. The 25-year-old rookie settled for the same fate in his previous outing despite allowing one run on four hits in six frames against the Chicago White Sox. Clemens has yet to record a decision in two appearances versus Oakland despite permitting just one run on three hits in 7 2/3 innings.

Colon suffered his third straight loss Tuesday, allowing four runs - one earned - on eight hits in five innings against Texas. The 40-year-old, who is winless in his last five outings, owns a 6-3 career mark with a 3.53 ERA versus Houston. Colon yielded five runs on seven hits in four innings of a loss to the Astros on Aug. 13.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland CF Coco Crisp, who is riding a nine-game hitting streak, received a scheduled day off on Saturday.

2. Houston 2B Jose Altuve, who is 14-for-31 in September, has four hits in 11 career at-bats versus Colon.

3. The Athletics have belted 43 homers in their last 29 contests.

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Astros 1