Oakland @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( May 27, 2015 ) Detroit 3, Oakland 2

The Oakland Athletics, who own the worst record in the American League despite some inspired play lately, happen to be the only thing keeping the Detroit Tigers from their longest losing streak since 2005. The surging Athletics hope to extend the Tigers’ recent woes and avenge a series loss to them at home last week when the teams meet in the opener of a three-game set in Detroit on Tuesday.

Solid pitching has been the primary reason Oakland (20-33) has won six of nine, tossing three shutouts and posting a 1.67 ERA over that span. Two of three hiccups during the Athletics’ most successful nine-game stretch of the season came in low-scoring one-run home losses to Detroit last Tuesday and Wednesday. Oakland followed up those back-to-back setbacks by taking three of four at home from the New York Yankees and hit the road to find a team in the Tigers that has dropped seven of nine and is coming off a 2-5 road trip after getting swept in Los Angeles by the Angels. Detroit’s usually-potent offense has been grounded during the slide, scoring two runs or fewer six times.

TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Kendall Graveman (2-2, 5.79 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Alfredo Simon (5-2, 2.67)

Graveman left the team following Sunday’s home win against the New York Yankees to attend to a family issue, but is expected to return in time to make his first career start versus Detroit. The 24-year-old Mississippi State product settled for a no-decision on Thursday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on seven hits and a pair of walks over 5 2/3 innings. Graveman picked up his last victory with six scoreless innings at Tampa Bay five days earlier to improve to 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA in three turns away from home this season.

Simon is expected to return from the bereavement list following the passing of his father last week. The 2014 All-Star with the Cincinnati Reds left the Tigers last Tuesday to return to the Dominican Republic prior to his scheduled start the next day and will take the mound for the first time since yielding two unearned runs in a 6-2 victory over Houston on May 22. Simon lost his only career start against the Athletics in 2011 as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, surrendering six runs (five earned) over 5 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera is batting .333 with 12 runs scored, five homers and 13 RBI during his AL-best 20-game on-base streak.

2. Oakland went 13-for-36 with runners in scoring position against the Yankees after going 18-for-140 in similar situations over its previous 14 contests.

3. The Tigers have won seven of the last 10 meetings since the start of last season despite getting outscored 35-33.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, Athletics 3