Oakland @ Texas preview

Oakland at Texas

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2013 ) Texas 4, Oakland 11

The Oakland Athletics could just about lock up the American League West this weekend - or they could let the Texas Rangers right back in it. Oakland takes a 3 1/2-game lead into Texas for a critical three-game series starting Friday. It's the final meeting of the regular season for the division rivals, with the Rangers holding a 9-7 edge.

The Rangers have hit hard times lately, losing eight of their last 10 after a three-game sweep at the hands of Pittsburgh this week. The Athletics, who took two of three from Minnesota following Thursday's 8-2 triumph, have won 13 of their last 17 to make up six games on the Rangers. Oakland has averaged 6.35 runs over that span, while Texas has averaged 3.4 runs in 10 games this month.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), KTXA-21 (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Dan Straily (9-7, 4.15 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Derek Holland (9-8, 3.17)

The streaky Straily has won three straight outings on the heels of a seven-start winless streak. He turned in one of his best performances of the year last time out, striking out seven in as many innings of two-hit ball to defeat Houston. The 24-year-old is 2-1 with a 4.23 ERA in five starts against Texas, including a win in the most recent meeting Sept. 2 in Oakland.

Holland has lost his last two starts - allowing 12 runs over 10 1/3 innings - and is winless in his last six outings. The 26-year-old was tagged for eight runs (four earned) over 5 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. Holland is 5-3 with a 2.83 ERA in 15 games (11 starts) against Oakland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics 3B Josh Donaldson is hitting .438 during a career-best eight-game hitting streak.

2. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus is 0-for-12 with five strikeouts versus Straily.

3. Oakland OF Yoenis Cespedes, who is batting .429 during a seven-game hitting streak, has at least one RBI in six straight games.

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Rangers 3