Toronto @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 29, 2013 ) Toronto 4, Oakland 9

Yoenis Cespedes is heating up, which is bad news for the rest of the American League. The Oakland Athletics’ left fielder heads into Tuesday’s contest against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays with six hits and seven RBIs in his last two games after struggling much of the month. Cespedes belted his first home run since June 21 on Monday, when the Athletics moved a season-high 20 games over .500 and maintained their six-game lead over Texas in the AL West.

While Oakland has won four straight, Toronto has lost 11 of its last 15 to fall nine games under .500. Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, who was named American League player of the week on Monday, has been one of the team’s most consistent players while batting .278 with 29 home runs and 84 RBIs. Encarnacion is unlikely to be dealt before Wednesday’s trade deadline, but the Blue Jays are reportedly shopping several relievers.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, SNET (Toronto), CSNCA (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Mark Buehrle (6-7, 4.50 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Dan Straily (6-4, 4.43)

After losing back-to-back starts, Buehrle threw a two-hit shutout with nine strikeouts last Thursday against the Astros. The 34-year-old lefty has not allowed a run in two of his last four starts while posting 3.41 ERA over that stretch. Coco Crisp is 16-for-49 with three homers when facing Buehrle, who is 6-13 with a 3.73 ERA in 29 career games (25 starts) against Oakland.

Straily is looking to bounce back from a dismal outing against the Angels last Thursday, when he yielded five runs over 4 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old is 3-2 with a 4.38 ERA in seven starts at home this season. He made his major league debut against Toronto on Aug. 3, 2012, allowing one run in six innings and receiving a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Athletics are 50-8 when scoring four or more runs.

2. The Blue Jays’ starting pitchers have allowed at least six runs in six of their past eight games.

3. Oakland C John Jaso (concussion) is unlikely to be activated off the 7-day disabled list when eligible Thursday.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, Blue Jays 5