Baltimore @ Oakland preview
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2014 ) Baltimore 2, Oakland 10
The Baltimore Orioles begin a nine-game West Coast swing when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Monday for the opener of a three-game set. The Orioles, who are one game behind Minnesota for the American League's second wild card, also face the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners during the excursion.
Baltimore has won seven of its last nine contests and stands a distant six games behind the first-place New York Yankees in the AL East. Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy went 0-for-3 in Sunday's 6-1 loss to Detroit to halt a 15-game hitting streak in which he had just one multi-hit outing. Oakland center fielder Coco Crisp is expected to be activated on Monday after missing more than two months with a neck injury. Crisp was just 2-for-45 before being shut down and will bat second in the order behind new leadoff hitter Billy Burns.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), CSN California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Tyler Wilson (1-1, 2.12 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Jesse Chavez (5-10, 3.53)
Wilson is being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to make the start in place of injured Chris Tillman (ankle), who will likely be pushed back to later in the week. He has made five appearances for Baltimore this season, including a start in which he gave up two runs and five hits in six innings while losing to the Chicago White Sox. Wilson was 5-5 with a 3.05 ERA in 16 starts at Norfolk.
Chavez lost four of five decisions before drawing a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last turn when he gave up three runs and five hits in five innings. He has pitched five or fewer innings in three of his last four starts, including a three-inning stint against the San Francisco Giants on July 24. Chavez has a 6.75 ERA in four career relief appearances against Baltimore.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics RF Josh Reddick (back) departed Sunday's game and his availability for Monday isn't yet known.
2. Baltimore 3B Manny Machado went hitless in four at-bats on Sunday after going 8-for-21 over previous five games.
3. Oakland 1B Ike Davis is 2-for-24 over his last nine appearances.
PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Orioles 3