(Houston, TX)  --  The A's hit the road to take on the Astros today in Houston.  Oakland comes off a series loss to the Red Sox and has lost four of its last six.  They sit three-and-a-half games back of Houston for first in the AL West standings.  The A's send righty Chris Bassitt to the mound.  He sports a 9-and-2 record with a 3.04 E-R-A.  Opposite him is lefty Framber Valdez for the Astros.  He has a 5-and-1 record with a 2.18 earned run average.