Oakland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2015 ) Oakland 17, Chi. White Sox 6

After flexing their muscles in an offensive explosion, the Oakland Athletics look to test the limits of the scoreboard once again on Wednesday when they play the third of a four-game series versus the host Chicago White Sox. Josh Reddick is heating up after a sluggish stretch, homering in his second straight contest in Tuesday's 17-6 rout and is 8-for-17 (.471) with seven runs scored in his last four games.

Mark Canha reached base six times on Tuesday and is 16-for-47 with four homers, 10 RBIs and nine runs scored in his last 11 contests. While cellar-dwelling Oakland posted just its second win in six outings, Chicago fell to 3-5 on its 10-game homestand as the teams look for positives in otherwise lost seasons. Jose Abreu collected three hits for the second time this series and is 16-for-47 in his career versus the Athletics heading into Wednesday's tilt against starter Cody Martin. Melky Cabrera is 8-for-16 with five RBIs and three runs scored in his last three games following an 0-for-15 stretch with four strikeouts in his previous four.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), WPWR (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Cody Martin (2-4, 6.57 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Erik Johnson (1-0, 3.27)

With Jesse Chavez's season ended by a rib fracture, Martin will step in and make his second start in the majors after allowing five runs in three innings in a 6-2 setback to the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 1. The 26-year-old, who was acquired from Atlanta in July, made 21 relief appearances with the Braves this season. Martin last pitched on Sept. 7 for Triple-A Nashville and owns a 5-7 mark with a 4.01 ERA in 18 appearances at the Triple-A level this year.

Johnson struggled mightily with his control on Friday, matching a career-high five free passes in as many innings before walking away with a no-decision versus Minnesota. The 25-year-old only yielded a solo homer by the Twins' Trevor Plouffe and has been taken deep four times in two outings (11 innings). Johnson will face Oakland for the first time as he makes his 13th career start on Wednesday.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago CF Adam Eaton is 10-for-24 with a homer, four RBIs and as many runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.

2. Oakland SS Marcus Semien recorded two hits versus his former team on Tuesday after going 3-for-22 in the prior six.

3. Despite Tuesday's setback, the White Sox own a 20-11 mark versus American League West representatives.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, White Sox 3