Oakland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 3, 2012 ) Oakland 0, Kansas City 2

The Oakland Athletics were a league-best 19-5 in July but have cooled somewhat this month, dropping six of 11 games in August to fall 6 1/2 games back of Texas in the American League West. Oakland sits 1 1/2 games back of Tampa Bay and a half-game behind Baltimore in the AL wild card race. The Royals, meanwhile, have been stuck at or near the bottom of the AL Central all season thanks to an early 11-game losing streak as well as a 4-13 skid coming out of the All-Star break.

The key to Oakland’s success has been a pitching staff that ranks fifth in the major leagues in ERA and is second in the American League in runs allowed. Kansas City has been able to put men on base - its .267 batting average is seventh in the majors - but has not been cashing in, ranking just 21st in runs scored. The Royals sit near the bottom of the league in most pitching categories.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports California (Oakland), Fox Sports (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (7-6, 3.55 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (1-3, 5.18)

Parker was outstanding through the first three months of his rookie season - posting a 2.46 ERA through July 2 - but has hit the wall in recent weeks, yielding 24 runs over 36 2/3 innings in his last six outings. He has had a particularly tough time on the road, allowing 10 runs and 17 hits over his last two away starts. Parker will be facing the Royals for the first time.

Guthrie has had an awful season - going a combined 4-12 with a 6.10 ERA in 23 games with Colorado and Kansas City - but he turned in eight shutout innings in his last start, surrendering just five hits in a road win over the Chicago White Sox. He was shelled in a June 12 loss to Oakland at Coors Field, giving up seven runs in five innings. Guthrie is 2-4 with a 5.56 ERA in nine career matchups with the Athletics.

WALK-OFFS

1. Current Athletics have feasted on Guthrie, batting .330 (31-for-94) against the Kansas City starter. Brandon Moss is 2-for-3 with two home runs and Josh Reddick is 6-for-16 with three extra-base hits.

2. The Royals haven’t had much production from their outfield in 2012, receiving a combined 25 home runs and 116 RBIs all season.

3. Oakland has won nine of its last 13 road games, while Kansas City has the worst home record (21-32) in the American League.