Oakland @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 25, 2012 ) Oakland 4, Tampa Bay 2

The Oakland Athletics are clearly showing that 2012 was no fluke. The Athletics have the best record in the American League as they begin a three-game series at the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Oakland leads the majors in runs with 96 and has won 12 of its last 14 after dropping the first two of the season. The Athletics are coming off a three-game sweep of Houston at home, when they scored 22 runs on 28 hits.

Tampa Bay’s offense perked up in Baltimore the last three days, but it only resulted in one victory. The Rays are off to a puzzling 5-10 start, landing them in last place in the American League East. On the positive side, Evan Longoria has three homers in the last four games and James Loney contributed six hits the last two contests. Tampa Bay is still only batting .217. as a team.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland), SunSports (Tampa)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Brett Anderson (1-2, 4.34 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (1-1, 1.93)

Anderson was outstanding his first two starts before allowing seven runs over 5 2/3 innings, including three homers, against Detroit in a 7-3 loss last Saturday. The left-hander gave up only two earned runs in 13 innings over his first two outings, striking out 16. Anderson is 1-0 all time against Tampa Bay with a 2.12 ERA over 17 innings in three starts. Evan Longoria is 2-for-8 with a home run against him.

Cobb was not quite as solid in his second outing last Saturday against Boston, allowing four runs – three earned – over 6 2/3 innings in a 5-0 loss. The right-hander gave up all four runs in the third inning and a better throw on a potential double play could have limited it to two. Cobb pitched 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball to win his first start against Cleveland. He is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA over 20 1/3 innings against Oakland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland has recorded 40 doubles, most in the major leagues, led by Jed Lowrie’s seven.

2. The Rays have belted 10 homers the last four games after registering only four the first 11 contests.

3. Oakland won five of the nine games against the Rays last season – four of the six at Tampa Bay.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Athletics 2