Oakland @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 14, 2013 ) Detroit 10, Oakland 1

The Detroit Tigers carry a three-game winning streak into the opener of a four-game series with the visiting Oakland Athletics on Monday. Detroit broke open a close game with seven ninth-inning runs to record an 11-3 win at the New York Mets on Sunday. The triumph completed a dominating sweep by the Tigers and helped them maintain their six-game lead over the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central as they begin a seven-game homestand.

The A's have dropped four of their last five and cling to a 1 1/2-game lead over Cleveland for the second wild-card spot in the AL. They are 2 1/2 games behind first-place Texas in the AL West with a three-game set versus the Rangers scheduled for next week in Oakland. Since opening a six-game lead over Texas on July 29, the A's have stumbled to a 9-14 mark.

TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), FSN (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH A.J. Griffin (10-9, 3.84 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (11-7, 2.45)

Griffin gave up four runs over six innings in a loss to the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. He served up two more home runs, bumping his major league-leading total to 30. Griffin, who yielded five runs over 4 2/3 frames in his only prior start against Detroit, has walked 15 batters in 16 2/3 innings over his last three starts after issuing 10 free passes in 58 frames over his previous nine outings.

Sanchez has yielded two runs or fewer in seven straight starts after producing another solid outing against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, when he let up a run and fanned eight in 6 2/3 frames. He allowed a run and only three hits in seven innings of a 10-1 win at Oakland on April 14. Sanchez is 7-2 with a 1.92 ERA at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland RF Josh Reddick re-injured his left wrist in Sunday's loss. He told reporters he was 50-50 to go on the disabled list.

2. Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera was 7-for-13 with two home runs and five RBIs in the sweep of the Mets.

3. Detroit took two of three at Oakland in April, outscoring the A's 17-4 in the two wins.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Athletics 3