Astros at Athletics
If the Oakland Athletics hope to get back in the race in the American League West, a strong performance this weekend against the Houston Astros will be key. The Athletics will try to get into the win column first when they host the Astros in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.
Oakland was making moves up the standings with a 10-game winning streak before dropping two straight to the Los Angeles Angels, capped by a 12-7 loss in 11 innings on Wednesday, and is aware of the importance of this weekend's series. "We're in a position where we need to make every series important," right-hander Liam Hendriks told reporters. "When you take your foot off the gas, it spells trouble. We're facing a team that is above us in the standings and every game counts. Maybe these three games are indicative of where we finish in the division." Houston owns a 7 1/2-game lead over the Athletics despite dropping four of the last eight games and is embarking on a seven-game trip through Oakland and Seattle. The Astros will send Brad Peacock to the mound in Friday's opener while the Athletics counter with fellow right-hander Mike Fiers.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Brad Peacock (5-2, 3.19 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Mike Fiers (4-3, 5.00)
Peacock is dominating of late and allowed a total of one run and 12 hits across 23 innings over his last four starts. The 31-year-old struck out eight while scattering four hits over six scoreless innings against Boston on Saturday, and has fanned 32 combined in his last four outings. Peacock tossed a scoreless inning of relief at Oakland on April 17 but was knocked around at home in a start against the Athletics on April 7, when he was ripped for five runs and seven hits in five frames.
Fiers allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last six starts, highlighted by a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds on May 7. The Florida native surrendered a pair of home runs against Seattle on Saturday but limited the damage to three runs on five hits in six innings to come away with the win. Fiers went up against Peacock on April 7 and suffered through his worst outing of the season, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks in 1 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics OF Khris Davis (hip) is eligible to come off the on Saturday but could miss the entire series.
2. Astros RHP Will Harris extended his streak of scoreless appearances to 10 with a perfect inning in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
3. Oakland SS Marcus Semien and 1B Matt Olson each homered in the last two games.