Texas @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 12, 2011 ) Texas 9, Oakland 1

THE STORY: Trevor Cahill hopes a meeting with the Texas Rangers will cure what ails him. The struggling righthander looks for his 10th win of the season Saturday as the host Athletics continue their weekend series with their division rivals. Texas, which routed Oakland in the opener, counters with veteran righty Colby Lewis.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Colby Lewis (10-8, 4.12 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Trevor Cahill (9-10, 3.93).

Lewis is winless in his previous three starts for the first time since mid-April. He has allowed 11 runs in only 18 innings over that stretch, though he was solid last time out. The 32-year-old gave up three runs over 7 1/3 innings to Cleveland on Monday but settled for a no-decision in a 5-3 Texas victory. Lewis is 5-3 with a 3.25 ERA in 15 appearances (13 starts) against the Athletics. Cahill's struggles have been going on for much longer. An 18-game winner a season ago, the 23-year-old has gone 1-5 over his last eight outings - three of which lasted fewer than five innings. He didn't register a decision in his last start, surrendering three runs over six innings in a 5-4 Oakland win. Cahill has been sensational against Texas, going 8-3 with a 2.19 ERA in 12 starts.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (67-52): For as good as Michael Young has been throughout his career, 2011 may mark his best season yet. The 34-year-old comes into Saturday's action hitting a robust .335, good for third in the American League. If the average holds, it will be a career best for the Rangers infielder. Young recorded his 2,000th career hit earlier this week, and has a chance at 3,000 if he can maintain his present pace for five more seasons. This season has been more challenging than most for Young, who has split his time in the field between first, second and third base. Despite not having played first before this year, Young has made only five errors all season.

ABOUT THE ATHLETICS (53-65): Oakland was looking to make Texas starter C.J. Wilson pay Friday night for negative remarks he had about the ballpark and its fans earlier this week. Yet, it took the Rangers only four innings to bust out to a 9-0 lead and effectively put the game out of reach. The Athletics are hitting only .225 against Lewis, though hot-hitting Hideki Matsui has enjoyed some success against Saturday's starter. Matsui, hitting above .400 since the All-Star break, is 6-for-17 lifetime versus Lewis with two homers and six RBIs. Oakland has lost the last six meetings between the clubs, with its last win over Texas coming on May 2.

FINAL PITCH: August has traditionally been Lewis' worst month. He is 2-7 with an unsightly 5.80 ERA in 15 August appearances (13 starts) over his career.