Astros at Athletics
The Houston Astros try to continue their ascent toward becoming a contender in the American League West when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. Houston, which began its nine-game road trip by taking two of three from Seattle from Monday through Wednesday, vies for its ninth straight victory with Dallas Keuchel on the mound as the ace left-hander looks to record his 11th consecutive quality start.
The Astros (8-7) reside in first place in a division which is separated by two games from top to bottom and while it is off to a poor start at the plate (.215 team batting average), Keuchel and Collin McHugh are a combined 5-0 in six starts and are big reasons why the Astros have an AL-best ERA of 3.00. Oakland finished a 5-5 road trip while settling for a split of its four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels after a 2-0 loss Thursday in which it allowed one hit - a two-run homer by Kole Calhoun in the third inning. The Athletics' Ben Zobrist (knee) participated in pregame warmups and batting practice Thursday before fouling out as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning after missing the previous three games as he works toward a return to the starting lineup. Oakland hands the ball to Scott Kazmir, who is off to an equally impressive start and already owns a victory over Houston this season.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston), CSN California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (2-0, 0.90 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Scott Kazmir (2-0, 1.33)
Keuchel yielded two hits and three walks while striking out seven in six innings of a 4-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday and starts with an extra day's rest for the second straight time. The 27-year-old Oklahoman posted a 1.62 ERA in his last eight starts and is 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA in his last 10 turns. Keuchel is 1-2 with a 3.75 ERA in nine games (seven starts) against Oakland and active Athletics are 9-for-55 with one RBI against him.
Kazmir received a no-decision after permitting two runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings of a 4-2 loss at Kansas City on Sunday. The 31-year-old Houston native allowed one run, four hits and five walks while striking out 18 in his first two starts of 2015, including an 8-1 victory at Houston on April 13. Kazmir is 3-1 with a 3.10 ERA in eight career starts against the Astros, but struggles with defending AL batting champion Jose Altuve (11-for-22, home run, three doubles).
WALK-OFFS
1. Oakland outscored the opposition 62-6 in its eight victories and has been outscored 58-21 in its nine losses.
2. Houston hasn't lost when leading at any point this season.
3. The Athletics took two of three in Houston from April 13-15 - missing Keuchel and losing to McHugh, but isn't scheduled to face the right-hander this weekend.