The week's biggest mismatch put the A's against the Astros in Houston. The visitors had the American League's worst run differential, while the home club had the league's best. The entire A's roster has three career All-Star appearances; the Astros are poised to have three starters in this year's game alone. The A's have already begun shedding salary, while the Astros will be in the mix for this trade deadline's biggest names -- including A's ace Sonny Gray.
To this imbalance, perhaps we must add one more advantage: The Astros' path to this remarkable season is, according to A's architect Billy Beane, off limits in Oakland.