OAKLAND vs. HOUSTON 8/29/2018 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview

The Oakland Athletics moved closer to first place in the American League West and look to really tighten the race when they conclude their three-game road series against the division-leading Houston Astros on Wednesday afternoon. Nick Martini delivered a tiebreaking RBI double in the ninth inning as Oakland posted a 4-3 win on Tuesday to move within 1 1/2 games of Houston.

Matt Olson crushed a three-run homer to help the Athletics improve to 17-7 this month and extend their lead over Seattle for the AL’s second wild card to 5 1/2 games. Rookie Ramon Laureano reached base three times on two hits and a walk as he recorded his fourth multi-hit performance since being recalled from the minors earlier this month. The Astros had their six-game winning streak halted on Tuesday but are 11-7 against Oakland entering Wednesday’s final regular-season meeting. Alex Bregman went 2-for-4 with a two-run double on Tuesday and is 17-for-37 with two homers and 10 RBIs during his nine-game hitting streak.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Trevor Cahill (5-3, 3.44 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (10-10, 3.54)

Cahill defeated the Astros on Aug. 18, when he gave up one hit over seven scoreless innings, but was battered by Minnesota in his following outing as he yielded five runs and eight hits in five frames. The 30-year-old, who needs six strikeouts to reach 1,000 for his career, has struggled on the road this season with a 1-3 record and 6.92 ERA in eight turns. Cahill is 1-1 with a 3.24 ERA in three starts against the Astros this season and is 2-1 with a 4.13 ERA in five career appearances (four starts).

Keuchel ended his three-start winless streak by giving up two runs and five hits over seven innings of a victory over the Los Angeles Angels in his last turn. The 30-year-old was roughed up for five runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 frames in a loss opposite Cahill on Aug. 18 and is 1-2 with a 5.23 ERA in three starts against the Athletics this year. Keuchel has posted a 6-6 record and 2.99 ERA in 21 career appearances (19 starts) against Oakland and held slugger Khris Davis (3-for-24, one homer) in check.

WALK-OFFS

1. Davis is hitless in six at-bats in the series and 1-for-20 with 10 strikeouts over his last five contests.

2. Houston 2B Jose Altuve went 0-for-4 on Tuesday after recording two hits in four of his previous five games.

3. Oakland placed LHP Brett Anderson (forearm) on the 10-day disabled list, recalled RHP Ryan Dull from Triple-A Nashville and learned LHP Sean Manaea was diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinitis and is shut down indefinitely.

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Athletics 2