Texas @ Oakland preview

Texas at Oakland

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2010 ) Texas 10, Oakland 3

The Texas Rangers can do something on Saturday that they last accomplished in 1999 – win a division title.

If they can defeat the Oakland Athletics in the third contest of a four-game series, the Rangers can pop the champagne corks and celebrate an AL West title.

Texas leads Oakland by eight games with nine left to play and enter Saturday’s outing with a burst of momentum after hammering the Athletics on Friday night.

The Rangers broke out of a deep offensive slump and recorded 18 hits during a 10-3 victory over the Athletics. Vladimir Guerrero led the charge with three hits and four RBIs, including a homer and three-run double.

Prior to the offensive splurge, Texas had scored just 14 runs during seven road games. The Rangers were 2-5 in those games, keeping the door slightly ajar for Oakland.

But Texas can slam it shut on Saturday if it can figure out a way to beat Oakland left-hander Gio Gonzalez, who has quietly established himself as a solid starting pitcher this season.

Only nine American League pitchers have won more games than Gonzalez, who is 14-9 with a 3.36 ERA. Gonzalez, who turned 25 last Sunday, had seven career victories entering the season.

Gonzalez has been Oakland’s second-best starting pitcher since the All-Star Game – behind staff ace Trevor Cahill – by posting a 7-3 record and 2.79 ERA in the second half.

This will be Gonzalez’s fifth start against Texas this season. He is 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA in 23 innings.

Guerrero (.211) and third baseman Michael Young (.154) have struggled to solve Gonzalez, which could be troublesome for a Texas offense still missing Josh Hamilton. The leading hitter in the majors with a .361 average, Hamilton is dealing with injured ribs.

The Rangers are sending Derek Holland to the mound against the Athletics.

The left-handed Holland is making his 10th start of the season. He has a 3-4 record and 4.56 ERA.

Holland has struggled on the road, posting a 7.17 ERA and 1-4 record.

His last two starts have been short ones. Holland lasted just 3 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday and four innings against the Detroit Tigers six days earlier.

Even with Texas scoring 10 runs on Friday, first baseman Jorge Cantu was unable to get an RBI. Cantu still hasn’t had an RBI in 24 games and 74 at-bats since the Rangers acquired him from the Florida Marlins.

Oakland outfielder Jeremy Hermida tied his career high with four hits in Friday’s game. Athletics second baseman Mark Ellis added three hits.