Detroit @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( May 28, 2016 ) Detroit 3, Oakland 12

Following their finest offensive effort this season, the Oakland Athletics will have their best pitcher on the mound Sunday in the rubber match of a three-game set with the visiting Detroit Tigers. Billy Butler and Khris Davis each homered and drove in three runs and Danny Valencia also went deep as the Athletics rolled to a 12-3 win Saturday, besting their previous season high in scoring by four runs.

The result snapped Oakland's three-game slide and handed the Tigers just their third loss in the last 12 contests. Rich Hill will be hoping for similar run support when he puts a personal four-game winning streak on the line against a team he held scoreless for seven innings on April 26. The resurgent left-hander has enjoyed pretty good success against most of Detroit's lineup, but slugger Miguel Cabrera is 4-for-6 with a homer and a double against him. The Tigers counter with Mike Pelfrey, who is winless in nine starts and has just one quality start on the season.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.55 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Rich Hill (7-3, 2.18)

Pelfrey gave up four runs and a season-high 11 hits in six innings of a no-decision against Philadelphia on Monday. It was the first time he completed six frames since he lasted 6 2/3 in a loss against Oakland - and opposite Hill - on April 26. The 32-year-old is 0-3 with an 11.05 ERA in three career starts versus the Athletics, giving up 26 hits and striking out only six in 14 2/3 innings.

Hill spun a season-high eight scoreless innings his last time out at Seattle, an effort that has him sitting atop the American League in ERA. He has gone four straight starts without allowing a home run and has 12 strikeouts against one walk over his last two appearances. The University of Michigan product has a 3.63 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 17 1/3 frames in his career versus Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers DH Victor Martinez is batting .350 in 76 career games against Oakland.

2. Davis is 6-for-15 with two homers and three doubles during a four-game hitting streak.

3. Detroit 2B Ian Kinsler is 5-for-8 with two extra-base hits and two steals in the series.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, Tigers 3