Boston @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2013 ) Boston 0, Oakland 3

The Oakland Athletics figure to have an advantage on the mound as they take on the Boston Red Sox in the rubber match of their three-game series on Sunday. While Oakland turns to All-Star Bartolo Colon in its final game before the break, Boston hands the ball to rookie Brandon Workman, who will be making his first start in the major leagues.

Colon will look to get the better of a Red Sox offense that was shut out for the sixth time on Saturday, as the Athletics evened the series with a 3-0 triumph. A.J. Griffin tossed eight strong innings to give Oakland its seventh win in the last eight home meetings with Boston. The victory ensured that the A's will be no worse than tied for first in the American League West entering the break.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Brandon Workman (0-0, 13.50 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Bartolo Colon (12-3, 2.69)

Workman allowed three runs and four hits in two innings of relief in his major-league debut Wednesday in Seattle. He was taken in the second round of the 2010 draft and went 8-2 with a 3.21 ERA in 17 games (16 starts) between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket this season.

Colon keeps chugging along toward his third All-Star appearance. He has posted 11 straight quality starts and has won nine of his last 10 outings after limiting the Pittsburgh Pirates to a run in seven frames on Monday. Colon threw seven scoreless innings on the road to defeat the Red Sox on April 23, limiting Boston to only three singles in a 13-0 rout.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston DH David Ortiz is 6-for-46 with 15 strikeouts against Colon.

2. The A's are just 17-19 in day games.

3. Following the All-Star break, Boston returns home to host the New York Yankees. Oakland heads to Los Angeles to take on the Angels.

PREDICTION: Oakland 6, Red Sox 4