Game No. 150 Preview: Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics

Houston Astros (78-71) vs. Oakland Athletics (66-83), September 19, 2016, 9:05 p.m.

TV: Root Sports SW
Radio: KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV
Athletics SBNation Blog: Athletics Nation

Pitching Matchup

RHP Brad Peacock (0-0, 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP) vs. RHP Jharel Cotton (1-0, 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP)

Preview

The Houston Astros are living on the edge of a knife. The team is three game behind the AL Wild Card race with 13 games remaining in the season. Those final 13 games will start with a series in Oakland.

The A’s haven’t picked themselves up from the mat since their 2014 playoff run as the team has fought over the AL West basement over the past two season. Houston is 20-15 during that time period.

The Astros will have to continue their winning way to have a chance at a second season, Houston will turn to Brad Peacock in game one.

Peacock, a former A’s farmhand, Peacock is 0-0 with a 1.86 ERA in his two starts in Sept. He has allowed just two earned runs in 9 2/3 innings, including six innings of one-run baseball against the Ranger on Sept. 13.

Peacock is 1-2 with a 6.30 ERA in four career starts at the Oakland Coliseum. Current A's are batting .105 (2x19) against Peacock with a .182 BABIP, 0.70 FIP, 38.1 K%, and a 4.8 BB%.

A’s’ Sam Fuld is .500 (3x6) with three doubles in his career against Peacock.

Jharel Cotton is a top-15 prospect in the A's system per MLB.com with a 60-grade fastball and change up. He uses a mix of four-seamers and a plus changed at a high arm slot and short stride.

Cotton makes his third start this season. He is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his first two starts, allowing just two earned runs over 12 innings.