Houston at Oakland

They keep making Oakland an underdog even though it has climbed into a tie with the Astros for first place in the AL West after winning an astonishing 40 of its last 53 games overall. Also, Houston has lost seven of its last eight and is still playing without Jose Altuve, who is on the 10-day disabled list. Sean Manaea actually is in better form than Justin Verlander as he's not allowed more than three runs his last 10 starts, and the Athletics have won nine of Manaea's last 12 starts and six of his last seven home outings. Manaea is 6-0 with a 2.81 ERA in day games, and he has a 3.78 ERA in three starts against Houston this year. The Astros have lost six of Verlander's last 10 starts, and he has a 5.17 ERA in three appearances in August. Play the Athletics.