Tampa Bay @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 1, Oakland 2

The Tampa Bay Rays are still in position for a playoff spot, but their American League East hopes are fading after six losses in their last seven games. The slumping Rays' offense needs to wake up to salvage the finale of a three-game series against the host Oakland Athletics on Sunday. Evan Longoria is 2-for-23 with one RBI over the last six games and Wil Myers broke out of an 0-for-22 slump with a double in a 2-1 loss on Saturday for the Rays, who trail Boston by 4 ½ games in the AL East.

The Athletics have won five of six to push ahead of Tampa Bay by 1 1/2 games for the first AL wild card spot while the Rays lead the New York Yankees by 3 ½ for the second. Coco Crisp is 15-for-40 with five homers over the last 10 games for Oakland. Tampa Bay managed only 16 runs and one home run in the last seven games.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jamey Wright (2-2, 2.97 ERA) vs. Athletics RH A.J. Griffin (11-9, 3.94)

Wright is expected to make his first start since Aug. 25, 2007 while with the Texas Rangers after 54 relief appearances this season. The 38-year-old right-hander has allowed 48 hits in 57 2/3 innings overall and only one run in nine August appearances. Crisp is 4-for-7 in his career versus Wright, who is 2-1 lifetime in 35 appearances (three starts) against the Athletics with a 4.56 ERA.

Griffin gave up four runs over five innings Monday in his last start against Detroit to gain the victory – his first in five starts. The right-hander has allowed 151 hits in 169 innings, including a major-league high 32 home runs. Matt Joyce has a homer in two at-bats versus Griffin, who limited the Rays to three runs over seven innings last July in his rookie season without getting a decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay 1B James Loney is batting .362 on the road with 36 of his 59 RBIs.

2. Oakland finished 14-13 in August and is 26-17 in one-run games this season.

3. The Rays expect to activate OF/DH Delmon Young, signed as a free agent after batting .261 with eight homers and 31 RBIs for Philadelphia.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Rays 3