Texas @ Oakland preview
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2012 ) Oakland 7, Texas 9
The Texas Rangers clinched a postseason berth by claiming the nightcap of their doubleheader against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. They can secure their third consecutive American League West title should they upend the host Oakland Athletics in any of the three games of their series, which begins Monday. Texas, which holds a two-game lead over Oakland, benefited from Mike Napoli's two-homer, six-RBI effort versus his former team to claim an 8-7 triumph in Game 2 Sunday night.
Rookie Yoenis Cespedes homered to snap a tie in the eighth inning and Josh Reddick went deep later in the frame as the Athletics posted a 5-2 triumph over Seattle on Sunday to close in on a playoff berth. Should Oakland's division dreams be dashed, it still holds a three-game lead over Los Angeles and Tampa Bay in the race for the second wild card. The Athletics have clubbed 20 homers in their last nine games.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSSW (Texas), Oakland (CSCA)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (1-3, 5.03 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (12-8, 3.44)
Perez has taken the loss in his last two appearances, including getting shelled for five runs on six hits in two-thirds of an inning against Oakland on Wednesday. The 21-year-old Venezuelan rookie fared much better against the Athletics on June 30, allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings in a 7-2 win. Perez has permitted just three homers in 34 innings.
Parker posted his third consecutive victory and fifth in six decisions after recording a quality start versus Texas on Wednesday. The 23-year-old struck out eight in six innings to secure the victory. Parker was dominant in his other start versus the Rangers, allowing one hit over eight scoreless innings in a 12-1 triumph on June 4.
WALK-OFFS
1. An 0-for-3 effort on Sunday notwithstanding, Coco Crisp has flourished following a nine-game absence with an eye infection. Crisp, who is 7-for-13 in his last three games, went 0-for-3 in his previous meeting with Perez.
2. Texas reliever Mike Adams has been diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Adams is expected to be sidelined for 7-10 days.
3. Athletics LHP Brett Anderson is expected to throw a bullpen session on Monday. Anderson, who has been sidelined with a right oblique injury, could potentially start Friday's one-game wild-card playoff, should there be one for Oakland.