Chicago @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( May 31, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 0, Oakland 3

The Oakland Athletics were on the verge of falling out of playoff contention following a loss to Texas on May 15 that dropped them seven games behind the American League West-leading Rangers. The Athletics have rebounded with a vengeance, ripping off 12 victories in 14 games to pull within three of the division lead entering Saturday's home game against the Chicago White Sox. Josh Reddick returned to the lineup for the first time in 3 1/2 weeks and had the game-winning double Friday.

Chicago had made a dramatic surge to climb back into the AL Central race, posting nine wins in 12 games - a burst that was punctuated by a three-game sweep of Miami last weekend. A home-and-home series with the crosstown rival Chicago Cubs squashed the momentum for the White Sox, who saw their losing streak reach four with Friday's loss. They have been outscored 27-6 during their skid.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Jose Quintana (3-2, 3.75 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Dan Straily (3-2, 5.08)

Quintana was unable to build upon his stellar outing against Boston, allowing four runs in six innings last time out in a 7-0 loss to the Cubs. Consistency has been an issue for the 24-year-old Colombian, who has limited the opposition to two runs or fewer in five starts and permitted at least four in four other outings. Quintana never has faced the Athletics.

Straily was outstanding in winning his last two starts, giving up only one run on six hits over 13 innings against San Francisco and Texas. Straily's strikeout numbers are down since fanning 11 in his season debut, but he has walked only one batter in his last two outings. Straily has surrendered only three homers in seven starts as compared to 11 in as many turns last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Friday's 3-0 win marked the 10th time in 14 games Oakland has yielded three runs or fewer.

2. Since having his 18-game hitting streak snapped, White Sox OF Alex Rios is 2-for-23 over his last six contests.

3. Reddick entered Friday's game with five hits and 11 strikeouts in 46 at-bats against Chicago.

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, White Sox 2