Oakland @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 29, 2015 ) Oakland 1, LA Angels 8

The Los Angeles Angels have passed Houston for the second American League wild-card spot, but they’re far from satisfied. The hottest team in the major leagues has won 10 of its last 12 contests to move one-half game ahead of the Astros and sit two games behind first-place Texas in the AL West heading into Wednesday’s series finale against the visiting Oakland Athletics, who have lost four straight and nine of their last 10.

The Angels extended their winning streak to seven games with Tuesday’s 8-1 victory and could receive a boost with the return of setup man Joe Smith, who has been out since Sept. 18 with a sprained left ankle. Smith is expected to be available Wednesday to serve as the team’s closer in place of Huston Street, who is out with a groin injury but hopes to return for the postseason. The Angels close the regular season with four games in Arlington, where they’ve won 14 of their last 16 meetings with the Rangers. Before heading to Texas, they’ll look to complete a sweep of the lowly Athletics, who have committed a major league-high 120 errors and will finish with the AL’s worst record.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Barry Zito (0-0, 18.00 ERA) vs. Angels RH Garrett Richards (15-11, 3.73)

Zito is set to make the final start of his career in place of Sonny Gray, who was shut down for the rest of the season due to left hip soreness. The 37-year-old Southern California native struggled on Saturday in his first start since Sept. 25, 2013, allowing four runs in two innings against San Francisco. Zito, who pitched most of this season for Triple-A Nashville, has gone 12-11 with a 4.14 ERA in 30 career starts versus the Angels.

Richards earned his second straight victory on Friday as he limited Seattle to three runs while striking out eight over seven frames. The 27-year-old is 2-4 with a 5.03 ERA in 13 career games (nine starts) against Oakland, including 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in two outings this season. Manager Mike Scioscia indicated that Richards will start on short rest in Sunday’s regular-season finale against Texas if the Angels need a win to make the playoffs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels 3B David Freese is batting .333 with 10 doubles this month.

2. Oakland LHP Drew Pomeranz has been shut down for the rest of the season due to a sore pitching shoulder.

3. The Angels are 42-29 against AL West rivals.

PREDICTION: Angels 9, Athletics 3