The Oakland A's hold a 3.5 game lead over the Houston Astros in the AL West as they start a five-game set. will be the first installment of a lengthy five-game set between these teams. The dropped three games to the LA Angels over the weekend and will look to snap back by sending Christian Javier to the mound. In his first major league season, he has pitched in eight games this season, making seven starts, and has posted a is 4-1 record with a 3.35 ERA.

The Athletics’ dropped two of three over the weekend to the San Diego Padres. The A's will be looking to put more distance between themselves and the Astros. They will send Frankie Montas to the mound for today's start. He has made seven starts this season and has posted a 2-3 record with a 6.06 ERA.

Montas has struggled in his last three starts and has posted a 16.76 ERA over that period. Javier, he’s been solid overall and will look to pitch better against the A's. Last time out against Oakland, he went three innings and gave up five runs. I like the Astro's bats to get to Montas and Javier to keep the A's bats in check.

Play on Houston.