Athletics at Astros
The Oakland Athletics seek to defeat Houston for the third straight night when they close a four-game series against Justin Verlander and the host Astros on Thursday. Oakland was walloped 15-0 in the series opener before recovering to post 21-7 and 5-3 triumphs.
The Athletics aren't much of a threat to the Astros' 8 1/2-game lead in the American League West but remain a half-game ahead of the Cleveland Indians for the second wild-card spot while standing one-half game behind leader Tampa Bay. Marcus Semien hit his career-high 28th homer and Sean Murphy also went deep Wednesday as Oakland improved to 7-11 against the Astros entering the final meeting of the season. Houston (95-52) fell a half-game behind New York for best record in the majors after the Yankees had their Wednesday game postponed. George Springer has belted three homers in the past two games and seven in his last 10 and Wednesday's shot was his 34th of the season, matching his career high from 2017.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Sports (Oakland), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Homer Bailey (12-8, 4.87 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (18-5, 2.52)
Bailey is vying to match his career high of 13 victories set with the Cincinnati Reds in 2012. The 33-year-old, who has won his last three decisions, is 5-2 with a 4.98 ERA in 10 starts since being acquired from the Kansas City Royals. Bailey was torched for nine runs and eight hits in two-plus innings during an 11-1 loss to the Astros on July 22 but is 4-1 with a 2.83 ERA in nine career outings versus Houston.
Verlander has won three straight starts - allowing one run in 21 1/3 innings - and leads the majors in wins while ranking second in ERA and strikeouts (264). The 36-year-old threw his third career no-hitter Sept. 1 and is making a strong run at his second American League Cy Young Award. Verlander is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three starts against Oakland this season and 14-6 with a 2.53 ERA in 23 career turns but has served up four homers to Khris Davis (6-for-19).
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros C Martin Maldonado has homered three times in the past two games.
2. Oakland OF Ramon Laureano (leg cramps) returned after missing three games and played RF instead of his usual CF and threw out Houston 2B Jose Altuve at the plate when he tried to score from first on LF Michael Brantley's single off the wall.
3. Houston 1B Yuli Gurriel (hamstring) has sat out five consecutive contests but could return Friday, according to manager A.J. Hinch.