Detroit @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 12, 2013 ) Detroit 3, Oakland 4

The Oakland Athletics are back to their old tricks, complete with walk-off homers and whipped cream pies. The Athletics, who have won nine straight heading into Saturday's matchup with the visiting Detroit Tigers, won the series opener 3-2 on Friday when Josh Donaldson was greeted with two pies after hitting a walk-off homer in the 12th inning. Detroit fell despite a four-hit night by Prince Fielder, who is 13-for-24 in the last seven games.

Oakland left fielder Yoenis Cespedes left the game in the 11th inning with a left hand injury, but X-rays were negative and he could return Saturday. The Athletics are more concerned about center fielder Coco Crisp, who was forced to exit the game in the ninth with a strained left groin. Crisp is off to an outstanding start, hitting .333 with four homers and tied for the major-league lead with 14 runs scored. If Crisp requires a stint on the disabled list, designated hitter Chris Young would take over in center.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (1-1, 2.19 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Brett Anderson (1-1, 1.38)

Verlander allowed one run in his two victories in the American League Division Series against Oakland last October, including a complete-game shutout in the decisive Game 5. He’s coming off a strong effort Sunday against the Yankees, when he gave up three runs over 7 1/3 innings. He has led the American League in strikeouts in each of the last two seasons, and has 11 through his first 12 1/3 innings in 2013. Crisp is 8-for-22 (.364) and Reddick has two hits in 10 at-bats against the 30-year-old Verlander.

Anderson took a comebacker off his left (pitching) thumb Sunday against Houston, but is expected to be fine for Saturday’s outing. He is off to an impressive start with 16 strikeouts over 13 innings in his first two outings. He matched his career-high with 10 strikeouts and allowed two unearned runs over six innings in a 9-3 win Sunday. Anderson, who held Detroit scoreless for six shutout innings in Game 4 of last year’s ALDS, is 2-2 with a 3.78 ERA in four regular season starts against Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Athletics’ winning streak is the club’s longest in April since 1981, when they won 11 in a row.

2. The Tigers committed their first error of the season in the third inning Friday.

3. Oakland RF Josh Reddick went 1-for-4 on Friday after missing the previous three games with a sprained right wrist.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, Athletics 1