Oakland @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 11, 2013 ) Oakland 6, Toronto 4

The Oakland Athletics look to finish a six-game road trip on a positive note when they take on the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday afternoon. Oakland rallied for a 6-4 victory on Sunday to assure itself at least a split of the four-game series and keep pace with first-place Texas in the American League West. The Athletics, who are one game behind the division-leading Rangers, return home Tuesday to begin a nine-game homestand.

Toronto had plenty of opportunities Sunday but left 15 runners on base. It had the bases full and Jose Reyes at the plate with two outs in the ninth, but he grounded to second to end another frustrating affair for the Blue Jays. Toronto, which has dropped 13 of 19 at home, hosts Boston on Tuesday.

TV: 12:37 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), SNET (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Dan Straily (6-6, 4.41 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LHP J.A. Happ (2-2, 5.84)

Straily has lost four straight starts since being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento last month, posting an ERA of 4.95 in the process. He has failed to get through five innings in three consecutive outings, including a loss to Toronto at home on July 30, when the righty gave up five runs (two earned) and six hits in 4 2/3 frames. Opponents are hitting .321 against the 24-year-old Straily during the slide.

Happ struggled in his first start since being drilled by a line drive and suffering a skull fracture on May 7. The 30-year-old allowed seven runs on as many hits in four innings en route to a no-decision versus Seattle on Wednesday. Happ made a pair of relief appearances against Oakland, yielding four runs in 4 1/3 to take two no-decisions. Josh Johnson was scheduled to pitch on Monday, but was pushed back to Wednesday due to a sore forearm.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto INF Brett Lawrie is hitting .382 over his last 13 games. He was 3-for-5 with an RBI double and two stolen bases Sunday.

2. Athletics CF Coco Crisp is expected to sit Monday. He has been bothered by a wrist issue.

3. Oakland manager Bob Melvin is one win away from 700 for his career.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, Blue Jays 5