OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 09: Catcher Martin Maldonado #15 of the Houston Astros steps in front of Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics pointing at pitcher Humberto Castellanos #72 (not pictured) after Castelllanos hit Laureano with a pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning at RingCentral Coliseum on August 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
It may only be May, but the Oakland A’s opened a pivotal series against the Houston Astros on Tuesday evening. At the beginning of the three-game series at home, Oakland had a record of 25-17 and the Astros sat only half a game back at 24-17.