Houston Astros vs. Oakland A’s Series Preview

The Astros won’t have much time to dwell on their disastrous 0-3 homestand against the Royals. Bo Porter and company head out on their first West Coast trip of the year and open a 3-game series against the Athletics tonight in Oakland. The trip also includes a 3-game set against the Mariners. Let’s start by taking a look at the Oakland series.

The low budget A’s are once again atop the division standings this season. Their 10-5 record is the best in the American League, as is their 2.57 team ERA. Manager Bob Melvin will send starters Sonny Gray, Scott Kazmir, and Jesse Chavez to the mound against what has been the league’s worst offense in the early stages of the 2014 season. Those three starters have combined for a 1.23 ERA in nine April starts covering just under sixty innings.

Jarred Cosart (Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports)

Jarred Cosart gets the start in Game 1 for the Astros. Cosart will have to be on top of his game to beat fellow second year starter Sonny Gray. Astro killer Coco Crisp, who hasn’t started since Sunday due to wrist and hamstring issues, is back in his familiar leadoff spot for Friday’s 9:05 CDT start. Former Astro Jed Lowrie is in the #2 spot.

Brett Oberholtzer goes tomorrow for Houston and Brad Peacock will oppose his former team in Sunday’s series finale. It will be Peacock’s first start of the season. The Astros offense and their league worst BABIP is overdue for a breakout performance. Perhaps it will happen sometime this weekend.