Oakland @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2012 ) Oakland 6, Minnesota 3

While most experts were impressed by Oakland’s surprising first half, few expect them to last long in the wild card race. If Friday’s series-opening win over Minnesota is any indication, the Athletics plan to stick around awhile. Oakland has won seven of its last eight and 22 of its last 35 to pull within 1 1/2 games of Baltimore for the second AL wild-card spot, while the Twins have lost five of their last six.

Minnesota activated reliever Matt Capps (shoulder) from the 15-day disabled list on Friday, but he’ll be eased back into his closer role. Glen Perkins and Jared Burton converted six of seven save chances while Capps was out. The Athletics have a clear closer in rookie All-Star Ryan Cook, who has converted nine of his 11 save opportunities and hasn’t allowed a run in his last eight appearances. Thanks largely to Cook and their starting rotation, the Athletics (44-43) are over .500 for the first time since May 21.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSNCA (Oakland), FSN (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Tommy Milone (8-6, 3.57 ERA) vs. Twins RH Cole De Vries (2-1, 3.00)

Milone has allowed one earned run or fewer in each of his last four starts and is 2-1 with a 0.96 ERA over that span. The first rookie in Oakland history with eight wins before the All-Star break, Milone has allowed 24 of his 50 runs in the first two innings. He’s 3-5 with a 5.98 ERA in 10 road starts.

Set to make his sixth start this season, De Vries hopes to build on his promising outing from last Sunday, when he allowed three hits and tossed seven scoreless innings at Texas. The rookie walked five while pitching five shutout innings against Oakland on May 29.

WALK-OFFS

1. TwinsLF Josh Willingham has hit four of his team-leading 21 home runs this season against the Athletics.

2. Oakland’s Yoenis Cespedes (sprained left thumb) wasn’t able to play left field in Friday’s season opener, but he went 2-for-4 as the team’s designated hitter.

3. Twins RHP Carl Pavano (shoulder) threw on Friday and is getting closer to throwing off a mound. Pavano has been on the disabled list since June 2.