Athletics host the Astros in first of 3-game series

Houston Astros (22-28, third in the AL West) vs. Oakland Athletics (21-31, fourth in the AL West) Oakland, California; Friday, 9:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Astros: Justin Verlander (2-2, 3.97 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 26 strikeouts); Athletics: Ross Stripling (1-8, 5.19 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 32 strikeouts) : LINE Astros -170, Athletics +142; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Oakland Athletics begin a three-game series at home against the Houston Astros on Friday. Oakland has a 21-31 record overall and a 12-14 record in home games. The Athletics have hit 65 total home runs to rank third in the AL. Houston is 22-28 overall and 8-13 in road games. The Astros have a 13-4 record in games when they did