Oakland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( May 17, 2015 ) Chi. White Sox 7, Oakland 3

The Chicago White Sox will try to improve upon a difficult homestand when they welcome the Oakland Athletics to town for the first of four games Monday. Their playoff hopes were already slim to begin the 10-game stay at U.S. Cellular Field, but the White Sox have all but destroyed any chance of contending by dropping two of three each to fellow wild-card contenders Cleveland and Minnesota.

Sunday's 7-0 loss to the Twins with ace Chris Sale on the mound left Chicago 7 1/2 games out of a final playoff spot with just 21 to play. The White Sox managed five hits in support of Sale while finishing with their fifth shutout loss since Aug. 19. They swept three at Oakland earlier this season and have won five straight and seven of the last eight meetings. Lefty John Danks will look to improve upon a 7-3 lifetime record against the Athletics, who dropped a 12-4 decision in Texas on Sunday to clinch their first losing record since 2011.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Sonny Gray (13-7, 2.28 ERA) vs. White Sox LH John Danks (7-12, 4.60)

Gray rebounded from a poor outing against the Los Angeles Angels earlier this month to spin seven scoreless innings in a 4-0 win over Houston on Tuesday. The 25-year-old is 6 1/3 innings shy of reaching 200 for the second straight year. Gray allowed two earned runs and four hits in seven innings in his only career start against Chicago.

Danks snapped a three-start losing streak with a complete-game victory at Kansas City on Sept. 4. He limited the Royals to a run and seven hits while striking out five and walking one in his second complete game of the season. The 30-year-old has a 2.40 ERA in 12 career starts against the Athletics, including a solid seven-inning, two-run effort at Oakland on May 16.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics RF Josh Reddick was 5-for-8 with two walks and a stolen base in the final two games of the Texas series.

2. White Sox RF Avisail Garcia (back) and C Rob Brantly (knee) are day-to-day.

3. Oakland's pitching staff has a 6.68 ERA in September.

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, White Sox 3