OAKLAND -- Seeking sustained success, the A's will soon be tested with a stretch that features a game on 20 consecutive days without an off-day -- 13 of those games will be against postseason hopefuls.
Following Thursday's off-day, the A's will play host to the Astros for a three-game series that could alter the American League West standings. From there, they get a week's worth of games against non-contenders -- three with Texas and four in Minnesota -- only to buckle down for matchups with Houston, Seattle and New York.
"It is a challenge, and you look at the way the off-days are structured this year, and you get three off in eight days and then [play] 20 in a row," A's manager Bob Melvin said.