Toronto @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2012 ) Toronto 6, Oakland 5

The Toronto Blue Jays likely would prefer an easier destination to start their 10-game West Coast road trip than Oakland, where the Athletics stand a season-high 19 games over .500. The Athletics’ offense has struggled in recent weeks, but the club rallied from an early five-run deficit on Sunday to post a 10-6 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels. Oakland, which owns a six-game lead over Texas in the American League West, enters Monday's series opener having won 23 of its last 29 home games.

The Blue Jays are riding a wave of momentum after Colby Rasmus’ walk-off single in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Houston, but they’re still 14 games behind first-place Boston in the American League East. Rasmus has been on a tear this month, hitting safely in 20 of his last 25 games while batting .366 over that stretch. Edwin Encarnacion enters the series on a hot streak as he has reached base safely in 12 of his last 15 plate appearances.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Esmil Rogers (3-4, 3.74 ERA) vs. Athletics RH A.J. Griffin (9-7, 3.84)

Rogers continued to impress in a start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, when he received his third straight no-decision despite allowing just two runs over seven innings. The 27-year-old has yielded three runs or fewer in seven of his 10 starts. Rogers, who was acquired from Cleveland last November, has worked at least six innings in six of his last eight outings.

Griffin surrendered three runs over 6 1/3 innings against Houston on Wednesday en route to his third win in his last four outings. The 25-year-old has won three of his last four starts despite allowing seven home runs during that stretch. Griffin has yet to allow a run in two career starts against the Blue Jays, going 1-0 while tossing 7 2/3 scoreless frames, and the Athletics are 24-12 in his 36 major-league outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland 3B Josh Donaldson is hitless in his last 16 at-bats.

2. Toronto is 10-4 against American League West opponents this season.

3. The Athletics are 7-0 when Stephen Vogt starts at catcher.

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Blue Jays 3