The set-up: Houston has taken the first two of this three-game series in Oakland, closing to within two games of the AL's final wild card spot (Tigers are also a half-game ahead of the Astros). Last night's 2-1, 10-inning loss was the fifth in a row at home for 66-85 Oakland, which played the game under protest after manager Bob Melvin disagreed with the result of a replay review (good luck with that).

The pitching matchup: Collin McHugh (11-10, 4.66 ERA) will get the start for Houston, opposed by Oakland's Daniel Mengden (2-7, 5.68 ERA). McHugh will come into this contest having not lost since August 13. He extended his unbeaten streak to six starts Friday with a 2-0 victory at Seattle in which he allowed just two hits over seven scoreless innings. McHugh is 4-0 with a 4.45 ERA over his current six-start unbeaten streak, with the Astros winning all six games. Oakland rookie Daniel Mengden is coming off arguably his best outing of the year. He blanked the Kansas City Royals on a season-low three hits over seven innings in Thursday in a 14-5 victory. However, Mengden hasn't had many good outings in his previous 12 starts, as evidenced by his 5.65 ERA and 1.55 WHIP (A's are 3-9 in his 12 starts).

The pick: No reason to believe Mengden's "lucky" 13th start will go much better, considering that McHugh 1-0 with a 3.63 ERA in three starts against the A's this year (Astros are 3-0), giving him a career 5-1 record (3.00 ERA) against the A's in eight starts (Astros are 7-1). Houston is an 8* play.