Oakland @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 1, 2012 ) Tampa Bay 4, Oakland 1

What shaped up as a high-profile matchup between the top two teams in the American League wild card race suddenly has some intriguing subplots. The Tampa Bay Rays will have one eye on the visiting Oakland Athletics in their rearview mirror when the teams open a three-game series Thursday night. The Rays are 1 1/2 games in front of the Athletics but also have the New York Yankees squarely in their sights after closing within three games of the AL East Division leaders.

Oakland was hit by a bombshell Wednesday when veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon, who was scheduled to start Thursday's series opener, was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. In the past month, Colon has been one of the best pitchers for the Athletics, who have won six of seven games and allowed only four runs in their last four contest. Oakland remains in contention in the AL West, sitting five games behind Texas.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSCA (Oakland), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Tyson Ross (2-8, 6.35 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (7-8, 4.74)

Ross is being summoned from Triple-A Sacramento to take Colon's start. He was demoted at the end of June after losing five consecutive decisions in a span of six starts. Ross has been hit hard away from home, logging a 1-5 record and 7.60 ERA in seven road starts. That included a 7-2 loss at Tampa Bay on May 4 in which he was roughed up for seven runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Cobb had won three straight starts before getting mauled by the Los Angeles Angels last time out. He escaped with a no-decision despite being pummeled for eight runs on 12 hits in 2 2/3 innings. In his three previous outings, Cobb has gone seven innings and allowed one run in each, including a 4-1 win in Oakland. He had given up only 13 runs in seven starts prior to the debacle in Anaheim.

WALK-OFFS

1. The three-game series will end Saturday because Tropicana Field will be needed for next week's Republican National Convention.

2. Rays closer Fernando Rodney has a major league-leading 39 saves in 41 chances.

3. Athletics CF Coco Crisp is 9-for-21 with two homers and nine RBIs in his last five games. SS Stephen Drew is 0-for-6 with two walks since joining the team in a trade with Arizona earlier this week.