Texas @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2013 ) Texas 2, Oakland 4

The Oakland Athletics have been scuffling offensively, averaging less than 3 1/2 runs over their past 21 games. Still, the Athletics hold a 3 1/2-game lead over the visiting Texas Rangers atop the American League West entering Sunday's finale of a three-game series between the division rivals. Oakland's bullpen has been a great equalizer, with closer Grant Balfour converting 29 of 30 save chances and Ryan Cook and Sean Doolittle riding scoreless streaks of 10 and nine appearances, respectively.

Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz is expected to be suspended Monday for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal, so the right fielder may have played his last game of the season after a leg injury forced him out of Saturday's 4-2 loss. Craig Gentry is the leading candidate to pick up the bulk of Cruz's playing time in the outfield. Although he's enjoyed great success against the Athletics with a .353 average in 68 at-bats, Gentry has only three homers in parts of three seasons.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (8-6, 3.18 ERA) vs. Athletics RH A.J. Griffin (10-7, 3.90).

Holland lost his first two starts coming out of the All-Star break when the Rangers scored a combined one run, but the bullpen cost him a win last time out even though he did allow four runs in six innings versus the Los Angeles Angels. Holland has made 13 appearances (nine starts) against Oakland, posting a 4-2 mark and 2.97 ERA. That included a no-decision on May 14, when he gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Griffin won his second straight start despite coughing up three homers over seven innings in a 9-4 victory versus Toronto last time. He has been stung by the long ball all season, particularly in three outings after the All-Star break when he surrendered eight of his 26 homers. Griffin gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings at Texas on June 20 and is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four career starts against the Rangers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas' power hitters, Cruz and Adrian Beltre, are each 2-for-9 with zero extra-base hits against Griffin.

2. Athletics 3B Josh Donaldson is 5-for-8 lifetime against Holland.

3. Rangers 2B Elvis Andrus is riding a 16-game hitting streak, the longest current stretch in the majors.

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Rangers 3