HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Athletics visit the Houston Astros on Friday night at Daikin Park, with both teams looking to climb above .500 in an American League matchup.

Oakland (30-31) will start right-hander Jack Perkins, who is 2-2 with a 4.10 ERA this season. The Athletics have won two straight after taking both games at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, including a 5-4 victory in 10 innings on Wednesday. Houston (28-35) has lost four of six but comes off an 11-9 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

The teams last met April 3-5 in Oakland, with the Athletics winning two of three. Houston pounded the Athletics 11-0 on April 4, but took the series finale 12-10 on April 5.

Athletics reliever Justin Sterner has been nearly untouchable over his past 10 appearances. The right-hander has not allowed an earned run in 9 2/3 innings during that stretch, striking out four and yielding just two hits. He worked a scoreless inning in Wednesday’s win over Chicago and has held opponents scoreless in nine of his last 10 outings.

For Houston, third baseman Isaac Paredes provides a power threat. He homered and drove in three runs in Wednesday’s win over Pittsburgh, going 2-for-4. In 10 games entering Friday, Paredes is batting .207 with two home runs and seven RBIs. He has hits in four of his past six contests.

A computer simulation by Interstat projects a 5-4 Houston victory.

Friday’s game opens a three-game series. The teams meet again Saturday and Sunday before returns home to host Milwaukee and Houston travels to face the Los Angeles Angels.