LAST 10 GAMES: Athletics: 5-5, .216 batting average, 3.67 ERA, outscored by five runs Astros: 7-3, .271 batting average, 2.60 ERA, outscored opponents by 24 runs ...

After a slow start, Smith has found his swing. Over his last 32 games, he has a .315/.361/.459 slash line as the Astros have surged to first in the AL West.

LAST 10 GAMES: Athletics: 6-4, .257 batting average, 3.27 ERA, outscored opponents by 15 runs Astros: 8-2, .264 batting average, 2.47 ERA, outscored opponents by 24 runs ...

Houston is five games ahead of the Seattle Mariners for first place in the AL West and is 7-3 in its last 10 contests. The Astros would clinch a series win over the Twins with another win on Saturday.

The Astros selected Melton No. 64 overall in the 2022 MLB Draft and hit .254 with two homers, seven RBI, and three stolen bases for Triple-A Sugar Land before getting his first MLB call-up on June 1.