Dallas Keuchel is back to ace status with a 12-3 record and 2.88 ERA. He's coming off a strong performance against the Mariners holding Seattle to two runs on seven hits in 7 2/3 innings during a 6-2 win. Keuchel is 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA in three starts versus Oakland this season.

Don't expect the powerful Astros, with the No. 1 offense in the majors, to be overconfident, though. The Astros' pride is at stake having dropped the first three games of this series, including a doubleheader on Saturday.

I rate Keuchel as an "A" pitcher right. Oakland starter Kendall Graveman is a "C minus." He's not in good form either with a 5.29 ERA in his last three starts.

The oddsmaker knows all of this. That's why Houston is such a high road favorite. But I'm confident the Astros win in a blowout here so I'll lay the 1 1/2 runs at greatly reduced juice.