Oakland @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2011 ) Oakland 2, LA Angels 4

THE STORY: The Los Angeles Angels look to continue closing the gap in the American League wild-card race when they wrap up a three-game home series against Oakland on Sunday afternoon. The Angels posted a 4-2 victory Saturday, climbing to within 2 1/2 games of fading wild-card leader Boston and one game of Tampa Bay.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Rich Harden (4-4, 5.17 ERA) vs. Angels RH Joel Pineiro (7-7, 5.36 ERA)

Harden tossed seven shutout innings in an Aug. 19 win over Toronto, but the Athletics have lost all five of his outings since, including a Sept. 14 home date against the Angels (5 1/3 IP, 7 H, 3 ER). Harden has allowed 22 runs (21 earned) on 38 hits In his last 23 2/3 innings of work. He is 6-4 with a 3.83 ERA in 17 career games (16 starts) against Los Angeles.

Pineiro was beaten up in his last start against Oakland, giving up five runs in just three innings of a Sept. 12 defeat. He rebounded with a win in his last start against Toronto despite allowing four runs in six innings. Pineiro has been tagged for 20 runs (19 earned) on 27 hits In 16 2/3 innings against the Athletics this season. He is 9-11 in his career against Oakland with a 4.83 ERA.

ABOUT THE ATHLETICS (71-87): Oakland 2B Jemile Weeks was called up too late in the year to earn serious AL Rookie of the Year consideration, but he has been the unquestioned leader of the A's offense since his arrival. Weeks is 9-for-16 with five RBIs and his first two major league home runs in his last four games, bumping his average up to a team-best .306. Oakland's offense ranks near the bottom of the league in most categories.

ABOUT THE ANGELS (86-72): Los Angeles has managed to stay in the playoff hunt despite an inconsistent offense and a bullpen that has been anything but automatic. Closer Jordan Walden, who closed Saturday's game despite allowing a ninth-inning run, is tied for the American League lead with nine blown saves. The Angels' starters have been outstanding, though, anchoring a team that leads the American League in ERA.

FINAL PITCH: Angels RF Torii Hunter has homered in both of the first two games in this series, and he has scored or driven in at least one run in each of the last seven contests.