Boston @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2012 ) Boston 1, Oakland 7

The Oakland Athletics sure don’t look like one of the worst hitting teams in the majors when they play the Boston Red Sox. The Athletics have outscored the Red Sox 27-3 in the first two games of the current series and have won eight straight while averaging 8.25 runs. That surge has Oakland in first place in the American League wild card race, two games clear of the Baltimore Orioles and 3 1/2 games north of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Boston was in the wild card race once upon a time but seems to keep finding new lows in a lost season. After getting pounded 20-2 on Friday, the Red Sox committed a pair of errors and looked sloppy in a 7-1 loss on Saturday. Oakland has added to the insult by using a slew of former Boston players against their former team. Josh Reddick, Brandon Moss and George Kottaras, each of whom were traded away by the Red Sox, combined for three homers and 13 RBIs on Friday. On Saturday it was Coco Crisp, who was on Boston’s 2007 World Series team, coming up a triple shy of the cycle.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), CSCA (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-3, 5.10 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Brett Anderson (2-0, 0.64)

Matsuzaka came off the disabled list on Monday and had one of his best starts in years, holding the Kansas City Royals to an unearned run on five hits in seven innings. Most importantly, the Japanese right-hander pounded the strike zone and issued only two walks while striking out six. Matsuzaka made his last start before going on the disabled list at Oakland on July 2, serving up five runs on four hits and a pair of walks in just one-plus inning. Reddick and Moss each homered off Matsuzaka in that one.

A big reason for the optimism surrounding Oakland’s playoff chances is the return of Anderson, who has dominated in two starts since coming back from Tommy John surgery. The 24-year old lefty has allowed a total of one run and six hits while walking two and striking out 11. Anderson has had little trouble with the Red Sox in his career, going 4-2 with a 2.86 ERA in seven starts. Jacoby Ellsbury is 0-for-11 in his career against Anderson.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics 3B Brandon Inge was activated on Saturday but was forced out of the game in the third inning after aggravating the sore right shoulder that had landed him on the disabled list.

2. Boston RHP Daniel Bard has allowed a home run in each of his two appearances since being recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.

3. Oakland 1B Chris Carter has homered in three of his last five starts and has driven in a run in each of his last previous games.