Houston @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 12, 2018 ) Oakland 6, Houston 4

The Oakland Athletics have won 11 of 14 to give the American League West-leading Houston Astros good reason to look over their shoulder. The division rivals will begin a pivotal three-game series Friday as the Athletics (72-49) aim to cut into their two-game deficit behind the first-place Astros (74-47), who snapped a five-game skid with a lopsided victory Wednesday.

Matt Chapman is riding a career-best 13-game hitting streak while reaching base in 29 consecutive contests, but that success hasn't been on display against Houston this season. The 25-year-old is 10-for-44 with 14 strikeouts versus the Astros, and 1-for-5 in a small sample size against Friday starter Charlie Morton. Evan Gattis showed signs of ending an ice-cold spell by belting two of Houston's season-high five homers in a 12-1 romp over Colorado on Wednesday. The 31-year-old was mired in an 0-for-19 stretch over his previous eight games before collecting three hits against the Rockies, but is 8-for-40 with 10 strikeouts versus the Athletics this season.


TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network; AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Charlie Morton (12-3, 2.88 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Edwin Jackson (4-2, 2.48)

Morton tasted defeat for the first time since July 1 on Saturday despite permitting only three runs in six innings of a 3-2 setback versus Seattle. The 34-year-old looks to get back in the winner's circle when he hits the road, where he is 4-1 with a 2.73 ERA in 10 outings -- including eight quality starts. Morton was left with a no-decision in his lone meeting this season versus Oakland after allowing three runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings on July 12.

Jackson has been brilliant while winning each of his last three starts, permitting one run on 11 hits while striking out 14 over 19 1/3 innings in victories over Toronto, Detroit and the Los Angeles Angels. The 34-year-old especially was impressive against the Angels, scattering three hits and striking out six over a season-high 7 1/3 frames. Martin Maldonado (5-for-12, homer, six RBIs) has gotten under the skin of Jackson, who owns a 2-2 mark with a 4.17 ERA in eight career encounters (seven starts) against Houston.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston won eight of the first nine encounters against Oakland this season before the latter responded by taking three of four from July 9-12.

2. Athletics 1B Matt Olson is 6-for-17 with three doubles and two RBIs during his four-game hitting streak entering the series versus the Astros, against whom he is only 5-for-47 with 15 strikeouts.

3. Houston 3B Alex Bregman has hit safely in eight of his last nine games.

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Astros 3