Oakland @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2013 ) Oakland 14, Toronto 6

Former first-round pick Sonny Gray makes his first start in the major leagues Saturday when he leads the Oakland Athletics against the host Toronto Blue Jays. The 18th overall pick of the 2011 draft, Gray has a chance to remain in the Oakland rotation with Tommy Milone toiling in the minors and Brett Anderson still recovering from a foot injury. Gray has made two relief appearances for the Athletics in July.

The right-hander will hope for the same support teammate Jarrod Parker received in Oakland's 14-6 rout in Friday's series opener. Josh Reddick homered three times, becoming the first Athletics hitter in nearly nine years to accomplish the feat as Oakland snapped a three-game slide. The Athletics, who remained tied with Texas atop the American League West, had scored 15 runs during a 1-6 slide before breaking out against five Blue Jays pitchers.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), SNET-1 (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Sonny Gray (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Mark Buehrle (7-7, 4.41)

Gray struck out six batters in four scoreless innings in his two prior appearances out of the Oakland bullpen. He has gone 10-7 with a 3.42 ERA in 20 starts for Triple-A Sacramento, recording 118 strikeouts in 118 1/3 innings. The 23-year-old was 2-1 with a 6.19 ERA in three starts for the River Cats after being demoted in July.

Following a pair of scoreless outings - including seven strong innings at Oakland on July 30, Buehrle was reached for five runs in six frames in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. The veteran is 2-1 with a 1.17 ERA in his last three home starts and owns a 2.95 mark at Toronto this season. Buehrle is 7-13 with a 3.59 ERA in his career against the Athletics.

WALK-OFFS

1. While Gray will make his first career start, it is the 420th for Buehrle. The start would tie him with Frank Viola for 102nd on the career list.

2. Reddick had gone 0-for-13 in his previous four games before breaking out in the opener.

3. Oakland manager Bob Melvin has 699 career wins.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Athletics 4