Astros @ Athletics

Who will WIN this matchup?

Houston Astros (78-44)

@ Oakland Athletics (69-52)

Starting Pitchers:

Armenteros (HOU): 1-0; 1.93 ERA

Bassitt (OAK) 8-5; 3.56 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Houston Astros: 5-5

Oakland Athletics: 6-4

Current odds:

Houston Astros: (-140)

Oakland Athletics: (+130)

• The Oakland Athletics look to make up more ground in the American League West when they host the first-place Houston Astros on Saturday afternoon for the third contest of their four-game series. Oakland won the first two contests, including a 3-2, 13-inning triumph on Friday, to climb within 7 1/2 games of the Astros. Robbie Grossman recorded his first career walk-off hit with a two-out single in the 13th inning to help the Athletics win their third straight contest and move within one-half game of Tampa Bay for the AL’s second wild card. Mark Canha launched a solo blast among his three hits and Marcus Semien also went deep for Oakland, which has recorded seven home runs over the first two games of the series.

• The Astros have dropped four straight after winning 12 of their previous 14 contests. Offensive stalwarts Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa and George Springer were a combined 2-for-21 with seven strikeouts in Friday’s setback.

• Armenteros will be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to make his second career start and fifth major-league appearance. The 25-year-old Cuban won his first career start on July 21, when he gave up one run and two hits with six strikeouts in five innings against Texas. Armenteros is 5-6 with a 5.05 ERA in 17 appearances (16 starts) for Round Rock after tossing 6 1/3 hitless innings versus Albuquerque on Sunday.

• Bassitt beat the Chicago White Sox in his last turn as he scattered four hits over seven scoreless innings. The 30-year-old hasn’t allowed a run in two of his last three turns, giving up two runs and 15 hits in 19 frames during that stretch. Bassitt yielded four runs and five hits in six innings while losing to Houston on July 24 and is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) versus the club.

• Athletics DH Khris Davis is 0-for-9 in the series and has hit just one homer in his last 41 contests.

• Houston RHP Brad Peacock (shoulder) tossed a hitless inning in a rehab appearance at Round Rock on Thursday and could be activated from the 10-day injured list by Sunday.

• Oakland activated C Josh Phegley (thumb) from the 10-day IL while parting ways with two other backstops as Dustin Garneau was designated for assignment and Beau Taylor was claimed off waivers by Toronto.