Los Angeles @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2012 ) LA Angels 6, Oakland 1

The Oakland Athletics have been trying to make a run at the division-leading Texas Rangers in the American League West while battling for the wild card lead, but suddenly they have another reason to look over their shoulders. The hard-charging Los Angeles Angels have closed within 3 1/2 games of the Athletics in the wild card chase and will go for a three-game series sweep Wednesday afternoon in Oakland. The Angels have won seven of eight and 11 of their last 14.

The Athletics entered the series on a nine-game winning streak, but have managed only four runs in the two losses to fall into a tie with Baltimore and the New York Yankees in the wild card race with Tampa Bay looming 1 1/2 games back. Oakland's bats were due to cool off after amassing 72 runs during the nine-game streak. The Angels are having no such issues at the plate, scoring at least five runs in each of their last seven victories.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), CS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Dan Haren (9-10, 4.58 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Brandon McCarthy (8-5, 3.10)

Haren turned in his best performance since the end of May in his last start, limiting Seattle to an unearned run and five hits in seven innings. It was his longest outing since beating the Yankees on May 29 and marked the third straight start in which he did not walk a batter. He was a 5-0 loser to Oakland on May 14, a defeat that dropped him to 2-3 with a 3.74 ERA in eight starts against the Athletics.

McCarthy has won back-to-back starts, giving up two runs in each. He was backed by a 20-run assault last time out against Boston, giving up eight hits in 6 1/3 innings after beating Tampa Bay with seven strong innings in his previous start. McCarthy has had his issues with the Angels, logging a 1-3 record and 5.03 ERA in 10 appearances, including a April 16 loss in which he allowed five runs on a season-high 11 hits.

WALK-OFFS

1 The Angels will be looking to move 11 games over .500 for the first time this season. They have been denied in their previous five attempts.

2. Angels slugger Albert Pujols had two hits Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to 13 games.

3. The Athletics have hit at least one home run in 11 straight games.