Texas @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 2, 2013 ) Texas 8, Oakland 3

The Oakland Athletics have picked a bad time to hit a cold spell, particularly when it coincides with a hot streak by the resurgent Texas Rangers. The Athletics absorbed their third straight defeat in Friday's series opener against the visiting Rangers and will enter Saturday's matchup with a 2 1/2-game lead over Texas atop the American League West. Oakland has managed only five runs during its three-game skid, which marks its longest losing streak since dropping five in a row from May 6-10.

The Rangers staggered through a prolonged slump for much of July but they have regained their offensive swagger during the five-game run, piling up 35 runs while chopping 3 1/2 games off Oakland's lead over a four-day span. Nelson Cruz could be among the players who are expected to be suspended by Major League Baseball on Monday, but it looks like he'll go out with a bang. Cruz clubbed a two-run home Friday, giving him 26 overall and 75 RBIs - both team-high totals.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Matt Garza (7-1, 2.95 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (6-6, 4.07)

Garza will make his third start since he was acquired from the Chicago Cubs. He did not factor in the decision last time out against the Los Angeles Angels, giving up three runs over seven innings, and won his Texas debut with 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball to beat the New York Yankees. Garza won at Oakland as a member of the Cubs on July 3, limiting the Athletics to one run on four hits over eight innings.

Parker has not lost since May 22 at Texas, when he gave up three runs over six hits in seven innings for his first career loss versus the Rangers. He also has not won since beating Texas on June 18, when he permitted two runs and three hits in seven innings. He allowed six runs last time out against the Los Angeles Angels to take his sixth straight no-decision, ending a streak of 13 starts with three runs or fewer allowed.

WALK-OFFS

1. Garza is 2-3 in six career appearances (five starts) versus the Athletics, but has pitched to a 2.70 ERA in 40 innings against them.

2. Cruz is 0-for-14 with six strikeouts against Parker, who is 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA in five starts against Texas.

3. Oakland's Coco Crisp and Jed Lowrie are a combined 5-for-32 against Garza.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Athletics 3