Oakland @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 30, 2012 ) Oakland 2, Texas 7

Japanese sensation Yu Darvish says don't believe the hype when it comes to his candidacy for the American League All-Star team. Darvish attributes such talk to "a buildup by just who I am and where I came from," but his numbers say otherwise. Darvish will be seeking his 11th victory - which would tie for the American League lead - and the Texas Rangers will look to complete a four-game sweep against the visiting Oakland Athletics in Sunday's series finale.

Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton was mired in a 6-for-36 slump, but he has come alive in the series by going 5-for-10 with a home run and six RBIs. Hamilton homered and drove in four runs Saturday to boost his major league-leading RBI total to 73. Athletics first baseman Chris Carter, who was called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, has homered in each of his first two games. Oakland has lost six of its last nine.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CS California (Oakland), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Travis Blackley (1-2, 3.69 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yu Darvish (10-4, 3.57)

Blackley has turned in three straight strong outings, even though he has little to show for it in the win column. The 29-year-old Australian did not factor in the decision in his last two starts despite yielding three runs and eight hits in a combined 15 innings. He was roughed up for five runs in 4 2/3 innings in a loss at Texas earlier this month

Darvish was pounded for six runs in 5 1/3 innings at Oakland on June 7, but he has rebounded to win his last three starts while striking out 29 in 23 innings. He fared considerably better in a home start against the Athletics on May 16, limiting them to one run on four hits in 7 2/3 innings. Coco Crisp is 2-for-3 with a homer, triple and four RBIS against Darvish.

WALK-OFFS

1. Darvish is 7-0 with a 3.45 ERA in seven home starts.

2. Blackley has surrendered only one home run in 46 1/3 innings this season.

3. Rangers manager Ron Washington said he has made his final selections for the AL All-Star team. They will be announced Sunday.