Big changes ahead for A's, as 2013 schedule released
Oakland will face Astros in AL West, Giants and NL Central clubs in Interleague Play
With the Astros joining the A's and Co. in the American League West next year, each league will have 15 teams for the first time, necessitating at least one Interleague game each day there is a full slate of action. Still, each AL West team will participate in 19 division games.
The A's and Giants, as well as every other pair of geographical rivals, are scheduled to play four games rather than the usual six next season, none of which fall on the weekend. The A's visit the Giants in San Francisco on May 28-29, and the Giants will return the favor by making the trek across the Bay Bridge May 30-31.
Aside from the Giants, the A's will play the National League Central teams, hosting the Reds, Cardinals and Cubs and visiting Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
Oakland opens its season at home April 1 for a four-game set with the Mariners, before hitting the road for its first of three trips to Houston, which will be followed by a series in Anaheim. The Astros make their first visit to the Coliseum as a member of the AL West on April 15-17.
The A's will enjoy two 10-game homestands, the first of which is scheduled for July 25-Aug. 4, with the Halos making a four-game appearance and the Blue Jays and Rangers three each. Then, from Aug. 30-Sept. 8, Oakland will host Tampa Bay and Texas for three games and Houston for four.
A's fans will be treated to a three-game Yankees series June 11-13, with another popular series coming July 12-14, when the Red Sox visit the Coliseum.
The final homestand, meanwhile, brings in the Angels and Twins from Sept. 16-22, before the A's hit the road and close out the season in Anaheim and Seattle.