Chicago @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 1, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 3, Oakland 4

Chris Sale has been the stopper for the Chicago White Sox and his teammates will look to the left-hander to live up to that role in Sunday's series finale at the Oakland Athletics. The White Sox have dropped the first two games of the series to extend their losing streak to a season high-tying five games. Sale is 4-0 in his last five starts and will be well-rested, having thrown only three innings in 16 days.

Josh Reddick spent more than three weeks on the disabled list with a wrist injury, but he has made an instant impact since returning to the lineup Friday. Reddick doubled home the go-ahead run in the series opener and delivered the game-winning run in more modest fashion Saturday when he drew a bases-loaded walk in the 10th inning. Oakland has won 13 of 15 to move within two games of first-place Texas in the American League West.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Chris Sale (5-2, 2.53 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (3-6, 5.40)

Sale was virtually untouchable in his last two starts, giving up only four hits and striking out 19 while extending his scoreless streak to 23 innings. He had one start pushed back due to shoulder tendinitis and his last outing against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday was halted after three innings due to rain. Sale has permitted only five runs over 38 innings over his five-start unbeaten run.

Parker's numbers hardly look impressive, but he has done a fine job digging out of an early hole that saw him open the season 0-4 with an 8.10 ERA over his first five starts. Since surrendering four homers in a loss at Cleveland on May 6, Parker is 2-1 in his last four outings, yielding nine runs in 27 1/3 innings. He went seven innings last time out, holding San Francisco to two runs and five hits.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Athletics have won seven straight at home, their longest streak since winning 10 in a row in 2006.

2. White Sox reliever Jesse Crain set a career high Saturday with his 22nd consecutive scoreless appearance spanning a career-best 20 1/3 scoreless innings.

3. Athletics LF Yoenis Cespedes, who has hit in 13 of 14 games, is 3-for-6 against Sale.

PREDICTION: White Sox 4, Athletics 2