Oakland @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 21, 2011 ) Oakland 7, NY Mets 3

THE STORY: The Oakland Athletics changed their manager and shook up the lineup. So far, those moves are working out. With the American League West a wide-open affair, the Athletics are hoping their current magic can last them a little longer as they chase down the pack. The New York Mets seem to have lost their magic again, though at least Jason Bay appears to be coming around. Oakland will be looking to post its seventh consecutive win when Gio Gonzalez takes the mound against the host Mets on Wednesday night.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland), SportsNet New York

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH R.A. Dickey (3-7, 4.00 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Gio Gonzalez (6-5, 2.69 ERA). Dickey had a rough outing at Atlanta last week, getting knocked around for six runs - four earned - on six hits in four innings. The veteran knuckleballer had recorded three straight quality starts prior to that outing. Dickey owns a 6-3 record with a 5.29 ERA in 22 career interleague games - nine starts. With Brett Anderson on the disabled list and Trevor Cahill struggling, Gonzalez is beginning to emerge as the ace of the Oakland staff. The 25-year old lefthander recorded 10 strikeouts in six innings Thursday against Kansas City, allowing two runs to earn the win. Gonzalez has made seven career interleague starts, going 1-3 with a 3.46 ERA.

ABOUT THE METS (35-38): Looking at the bright side, Jason Bay went 3-for-3 with a home run and a triple in Tuesday’s 7-3 loss, marking his fourth multi-hit game in the last six and lifting his season average to .236. On the other side were the top four hitters in the lineup, who combined to go 1-for-18 with four strikeouts. Every time it feels as though New York is taking a step forward, the team seems to slide back. Since reaching the .500 mark with a win at Atlanta on Thursday, the Mets have dropped four of five - the last three in interleague play. New York doesn’t exactly have it easy in interleague play, with a road trip through Texas and Detroit coming up before closing with three against the New York Yankees.

ABOUT THE ATHLETICS (34-40): Oakland started off slow under interim manager Bob Melvin, dropping four of its first five to fall to 1-11 in June. But the team has come alive of late, winning six straight while getting strong pitching and some timely hitting. Rookie Jemile Weeks has been inserted into the leadoff spot in the lineup and has provided an instant spark, scoring three times Tuesday and stealing a pair of bases after going 3-for-4 from the spot Sunday. The Athletics are only 5½ games behind the Texas Rangers in the West, with all four teams still in the race.

FINAL PITCH: Jose Reyes dominated the pregame chatter with the expected confirmation that he would not negotiate with the New York Mets for a new contract until after the season. Reyes, who leads the National League with a .336 batting average, met with his representatives and decided he wanted to focus all his attention on the field for the remainder of the season. Reyes has been the subject of trade rumors all season.