OAKLAND, Calif. -- The hot-hitting Oakland Athletics will attempt to continue their torrid pace in front of the home fans when they open a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Monday.When last seen in Oakland, the As were totaling just 26 runs in a nine-game homestand, losing six of the nine contests.When they take the Oakland field again Monday night, they will do so as one of the hottest teams in baseball.The As scored 43 runs in a four-game sweep at Kansas City to start last week, then added 22 more in taking two of three at Texas.That was a great trip, As manager Bob Melvin gushed Sunday after Oaklands 5-2 win over the Rangers. Beating Kansas City four in a row, losing just a really, really tough game (7-6 at Texas on Friday) and responding the next two games ...I cant say enough about the desire and commitment these guys still have to finishing out the season strong. You want to play for your team, you want to play for your job, and all these things combined. We have a lot of hungry guys.Outfielder Khris Davis became the first member of the As to reach 40 home runs in a season since 2000 (Jason Giambi) when he smacked a pair Sunday.Davis will take his cracks Monday at Astros right-hander Brad Peacock, against whom he has batted just one time in his career and struck out.Peacock (0-0, 2.70 ERA) pitched the final two innings of the Astros 6-0 home win over the As on Aug. 29, the only time he faced Oakland this season.Peacock has a miserable overall history against the As, having gone 1-4 with a 4.97 ERA in nine outings (eight starts). But that must seem like a different lifetime.He has allowed just one hit to a current member of the As (Stephen Vogt) in 18 at-bats.The As will counter with Jharel Cotton, who unlike As hitters, will attempt to duplicate what he did during the clubs last homestand.Cotton (1-0, 1.50 ERA) won his major league debut at home on Sept. 7, allowing just two hits and one run in 6 1/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels.He followed that up with a no-decision on the road in a 5-4 win at Kansas City on Tuesday, when he yielded three runs (one earned) in 5 2/3 innings.Cotton will be facing an Astros team that enters the final two weeks of the regular season three games out of the final playoff spot in the American League.Houston helped itself by winning two of three at Seattle, and it now looks to take advantage of an Oakland team that has struggled at home.Every series is huge now, Astros designated hitter Tyler White said after his team clinched the series win over Seattle on Saturday night. We go out every day, try to take care of the task at hand, and well see where we stand at the end.The Astros have a 10-6 lead in the season series over the As but have lost four of six in Oakland.The schedule surely gives Houston an opportunity to move up in the wild-card standings. The Astros finish the regular season with 10 of their final 13 against the bottom two in the AL West, including seven against the last-place Angels.Angels Jerseys 2020 . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. Los Angeles Angels Pro Shop . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. https://www.cheapangels.com/ . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. Stitched Angels Jerseys . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Angels Jerseys China . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night.PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers running back LeVeon Bell said the New York Giants defense tried to hurt him on a late-game play Sunday, but he wasnt too worried.Im glad I got my guys. I call them my goons up front, said Bell of his offensive line. They are down to ride with me whenever.With about two minutes left in the Steelers 24-14 win, Giants linebacker Kelvin Sheppard appeared to reach under Bells face mask and pull backward during a gang tackle, twisting his neck. Guard Ramon Foster tossed Sheppard out of the pile in disgust, prompting a mini-skirmish between both teams.Bell, who totaled 182 yards rushing and receiving Sunday, called the play dirty on social media earlier this week.After Wednesdays practice, Bell said he wasnt aware of any malicious intent as the play uunfolded but reacted by saying oh dang, they was really trying to hurt me once he saw a replay.ddddddddddddIn the offseason, Bell publicly acknowledged Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict tried to hurt him by running into his knees in Week 8 of 2015, causing Bell to tear two ligaments.Bells knees have held up well in 2016 -- he has 243 touches (180 carries, 63 receptions) for 1,318 yards in nine games.That his offensive line wants to protect him means everything in the world to me, he said. Guys always feel like theyve got to -- for whatever reason -- feel like they got to try to hurt me, take me out of the game, Bell said. Ive got to protect myself. ' ' '