St. Louis @ Oakland preview

St. Louis at Oakland

Last Meeting ( Jun 20, 2010 ) Oakland 3, St. Louis 2

After sweeping a two-game set against the Cincinnati Reds, the Oakland Athletics continue their homestand against the National League Central on Friday when they take on the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a three-game series. Oakland lost three straight series against American League West rivals before outscoring Cincinnati 12-3 in their two contests. A.J. Griffin tossed his first career complete game and Josh Donaldson hit a three-run homer in the Athletics' 5-0 triumph on Wednesday.

St. Louis was swept in a three-game weekend set at home by the Texas Rangers before splitting two contests with the Astros in Houston. The Cardinals posted a 13-5 victory on Tuesday but dropped a 4-3 decision the following night despite having the tying and winning runs on base with one out in the ninth inning. Yadier Molina went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer to raise his NL-leading batting average to .357.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Shelby Miller (8-5, 2.35 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Bartolo Colon (10-2, 2.93)

Miller has lost two of his last three starts, including an outing against the Rangers on Saturday in which he allowed four runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. The 22-year-old has surrendered four runs in each of his last two defeats but three or fewer in each of his other 13 starts this season. Miller, who is 3-3 in seven road outings, never has faced the Athletics.

Colon is looking to win his eighth consecutive start. The portly 40-year-old Dominican yielded three runs over eight innings in a victory at Seattle on June 21 after allowing two runs or fewer in each of his previous six outings. The former Cy Young Award winner, who is 4-0 with a 2.68 ERA at home this year, won his only career decision against the Cardinals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colon has posted a 1.41 ERA during his seven-start winning streak.

2. Molina started at first base on Wednesday for the first time since June 22, 2008.

3. The Cardinals are just 13-12 this month after posting a 20-7 record in May.

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Cardinals 1