Oakland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2012 ) Oakland 3, Chi. White Sox 4

Chicago maintained its one-game lead over Detroit in the American League Central after rallying for a 4-3 victory on Friday, riding a walk-off homer from Jordan Danks to a comeback win. Oakland remained 5 1/2 games back of Texas in the AL West despite the loss and sits half a game behind Detroit and Baltimore in the league’s wild-card standings. The season series between the Athletics and White Sox is even at 2-2.

The key to Oakland’s success has been a pitching staff that ranks fifth in the major leagues in ERA and has allowed fewer runs than any team in the American League. Chicago has gotten solid starting pitching as well but also has five players with at least 17 home runs, including Adam Dunn, whose 31 round-trippers tie him for the major league lead. The White Sox will be without All-Star 1B Paul Konerko, who was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list Friday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports California (Oakland), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Travis Blackley (4-3, 3.66 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Francisco Liriano (3-10, 5.03)

Blackley, who has been effective as both a starter and a reliever in his first full major league season, is making his 11th spot start of the season but is not being added to the rotation. He has had a couple of rough outings recently, giving up eight runs in 10 innings over his last three appearances. The Australian native will be facing the White Sox for the first time in his career.

Liriano has pitched well in two starts since being acquired from Minnesota, giving up just three runs and eight hits in 11 innings of work. Chicago won both games, but Liriano did not factor in either decision. The veteran is 3-4 with a 3.96 ERA in 13 career games against Oakland, including a loss on July 13 in which he struck out a career-high 15 batters.

WALK-OFFS

1. The surging Athletics are 23-10 in 33 games since July 1, the best record in the major leagues during that time span.

2. Oakland hitters are batting just .182 against Liriano. Brandon Inge has had a particularly rough time, going 4-for-35 with 18 strikeouts, while Josh Reddick is 0-for-7.

3. The White Sox have won 14 of their last 18 home games, while Oakland is 8-3 in its last 11 road contests.