Why the real test for the Houston Astros in the playoffs starts now

Houston Astros (52-47, first in the AL West) vs. Oakland Athletics (39-62, fifth in the AL West)

Oakland, Calif.; Monday, 9:40 p.m. EDT

Pitching Probables: Astros: Spencer Arrighetti (4-7, 5.63 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 93 strikeouts); Athletics: Hogan Harris (1-3, 3.40 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 35 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -148, Athletics +124; over/under is 8 runs

IN BRIEF: The Houston Astros face the Oakland Athletics after Yordan Alvarez hits the cycle against the Mariners on Sunday.

Oakland is 24-26 at home and 39-62 overall. The Athletics are 21-42 in games where they have allowed at least one home run.

Houston is 24-26 away from home and 52-47 overall. The Astros are 7-17 in games decided by one run.

The two teams meet Monday for the eighth time this season, with the Astros leading the series 6-1.

TOP PERFORMERS: Brent Rooker had 19 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs and 67 RBIs for the Athletics. Lawrence Butler was 16-for-37 with three doubles, a triple, five home runs and 18 RBIs over the last 10 games.

Alvarez leads Houston with 20 home runs and a .545 batting average. Jake Meyers is 7-for-37 with three home runs and six RBIs over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Athletics: 5-5, .281 batting average, 5.48 ERA, outscored opponents by 16 runs

Astros: 6-4, .228 batting average, 2.63 ERA, have outscored opponents by 14 runs

INJURIES: Athletics: Jacob Wilson: 10 days on injured reserve (hamstring), Luis Medina: 15 days on injured reserve (elbow), Tyler Soderstrom: 10 days on injured reserve (undisclosed), Dany Jimenez: 15 days on injured reserve (oblique), Alex Wood: 60 days on injured reserve (rotator cuff), Paul Blackburn: 60 days on injured reserve (foot), Ross Stripling: 15 days on injured reserve (elbow), Esteury Ruiz: 10 days on injured reserve (wrist), Darell Hernaiz: 60 days on injured reserve (ankle), Ken Waldichuk: 60 days on injured reserve (elbow), Trevor Gott: 60 days on injured reserve (elbow)

Astros: Victor Caratini: 10-day IL (hip), Justin Verlander: 15-day IL (neck), Cristian Javier: 60-day IL (forearm), Kyle Tucker: 10-day IL (shin), Jose Urquidy: 60-day IL (forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-day IL (shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-day IL (elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman: 60-day IL (elbow)