Game 142 Preview: Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics

Houston Astros (62-79) at Oakland Athletics (79-61), 3:05 p.m. (CST)

TV: CSN Houston, MLB.TV
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
A's SBNation Blog: Athletics Nation

Pitching matchup

RHP Scott Feldman (8-10, 4.09 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) vs. LHP Scott Kazmir (14-7, 3.39 ERA, 1.14 WHIP)

Preview

Chris Carter was booed last night as he batted in the ninth against his former team. Carter is batting .271 with seven home runs and twenty RBIs this season against the A's. Look at Trogdor's majesty. Carter and the Astros look to steal a second straight series against a American League West playoff team with a win today.

It's the battle of the Scotts on the mound today in Oakland. The Astros' Scott Feldman takes ball to start, he was 4-2 with a 3.32 ERA in his August starts. In August he also had two complete games, including his most recent start in Texas - Feldman pitched a complete game shutout. The A's knocked Feldman around in their first meeting on July 24, as Oakland put up six runs over 5.1 innings. But, the last two encounters Feldman has come out on top - four runs over 14 innings.

Josh Donaldson once again has an Astros pitcher's number, batting .313 in 16 career at-bats against Feldman. Former Astro, Jed Lowrie is batting .400 (6-15) with two doubles against Feldman. Derrick Norris checks in batting .500 (5-10) with a home run against the Astros' righty.

Houston-Native and former Sugar Land Skeeter Scott Kazmir faces off against Feldman today. Kazmir is hoping to put his last two starts behind him, he has given up 13 runs over 4.1 innings against of all teams the Angels. The Astros maybe a welcome sight for the Kazmir, he has only given four runs over 21 innings against Houston this season - striking 18 and walking just 3.

Last night's hero Chris Carter and Jose Altuve will be happy to Kazmir. Carter is batting .445 (5-11) with two doubles, and Altuve is batting .500 (8-16) with two doubles.