Cleveland @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( May 9, 2013 ) Oakland 2, Cleveland 9

A pair of second-place teams battling through slumps will try to get untracked when the Oakland Athletics host the Cleveland Indians on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. Despite avoiding a three-game home sweep against Houston, the Athletics have lost nine of 14 games to see their six-game lead over Texas in the American League West turn into a 1 1/2-game deficit. Oakland had won eight straight against the Indians before it was outscored 21-8 over four games in May.

Cleveland had lost seven of eight before winning the final two games in Minnesota but is six games behind first-place Detroit in the AL Central. The Indians hope recent history will provide a spark during the six-game road trip to Oakland and the Los Angeles Angels after posting a 17-6 record against the AL West this season. Justin Masterson will pitch the opener for Cleveland, which posted a four-game home sweep over the Athletics in early May.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Justin Masterson (13-8, 3.59 ERA) vs. Athletics RH A.J. Griffin (10-8, 3.88)

Masterson lasted a season-low 4 1/3 innings last time out, allowing five runs (four earned) against the Angels. It was the second straight five-run outing for Masterson and followed a four-start stretch during which he yielded four runs over 28 frames. Masterson is 2-5 with a 7.42 lifetime ERA against the Athletics, although he beat them on May 8 by yielding three runs over seven innings.

Griffin issued a season-high six walks but did not factor in the decision at Toronto in his last turn, although he did manage to keep the ball in the park after surrendering eight homers in his previous four outings. He was taken deep twice in a 4-3 loss to Masterson and the Indians in May - his only career start against Cleveland. Griffin is 2-2 over his last five starts and has allowed at least three runs in each.

WALK-OFFS

1. Griffin has allowed a major league-worst 28 homers in his 24 starts.

2. Indians 2B Jason Kipnis homered twice and LF Michael Brantley was 6-for-14 in the series versus Oakland in May.

3. Athletics 3B Josh Donaldson has reached base safely in a career-high 18 straight games

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Indians 3