On deck: Oakland A’s at Astros

When/where: Today, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:10 p.m., Thursday at 1:10 p.m.; Minute Maid Park. TV/radio: ATTSW; 790 AM, 850 AM (Spanish), 101.7 FM (Spanish). Pitchers: Today, RHP Gerrit Cole (9-2, 2.70) vs. RHP Frankie Montas (4-2, 3.83); Tuesday, RHP Justin Verlander (9-4, 2.15) vs. LHP Sean Manaea (8-6, 3.33); Wednesday, RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (10-3, 3.41) vs. RHP Chris Bassitt (1-3, 3.00); Thursday, RHP Charlie Morton (11-2, 2.83) vs. RHP Edwin Jackson (1-0, 2.45).

Astros (61-31) update: This will be the fourth series of the year against the A’s, against whom the Astros are 8-1 (with eight consecutive victories). … They are riding their third winning streak of the year of at least six games. … Cole’s 158 strikeouts rank second in club history before the All-Star break. He is nine shy of Mike’ Scott’s 167 in 1986. … Jose Altuve’s 124 hits are the second-highest total posted by an Astro before the All-Star Game, trailing only his 130 in 2014.

Athletics (50-40) update: Oakland, which has won four consecutive series, has the American League’s sixth-best record and stands 6½ games behind the Mariners for the second wild card. … The A’s are 16-5 since being swept by the Astros in a three-game series last month. … Former Astro Jed Lowrie hit his 16th homer in Sunday’s 6-0 win at Cleveland, matching his career high. … Blake Treinen has been the majors’ best closer this season. He has a 0.81 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 442⁄3 innings and has converted 22 of 24 save opportunities. He also has won five of six decisions.