Oakland @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2018 ) Oakland 3, LA Angels 4

Things started off well for the Oakland Athletics in their series opener against the Los Angeles Angels but ended quite differently. Oakland looks to bounce back from its second loss on three games when it visits the Angels on Saturday for the middle contest of the three-game set.

Matt Chapman belted a solo homer and Khris Davis launched a two-run shot as the Athletics held a 3-0 lead after one inning before going on to suffer a one-run defeat. Davis has belted 12 homers in 19 games since the All-Star break and is 10 RBIs shy of reaching the century mark for the third straight season for Oakland, which holds a 1 1/2-game lead over Seattle for the second wild card in the American League. Kole Calhoun hit a two-run homer in the third frame and Justin Upton swatted one in the sixth for the Angels, who won their fourth straight contest after placing star center fielder Mike Trout on the 10-day disabled list with right wrist inflammation. The 27-year-old, who hasn't played since Aug. 1, received a cortisone shot at the beginning of the week but still felt pain several days later.

TV: 9:07 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Edwin Jackson (3-2, 2.87 ERA) vs. Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (8-7, 3.34)

Jackson has won back-to-back starts after being tagged for five runs in 4 1/3 innings at Texas on July 25 in his worst outing of the season, allowing one unearned run and eight hits over 12 frames in the victories. The 34-year-old journeyman has yet to win on the road this year, going 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA in four turns. Jackson is 4-4 with a 3.83 ERA and one complete game in 12 career appearances (nine starts) against the Angels.

Skaggs is expected to return from an adductor strain that landed him on the disabled list and make his first start since July 31. The 27-year-old Californian took the loss in that outing as he was battered for 10 runs on eight hits and three walks in 3 1/3 innings at Tampa Bay. Skaggs entered the season 0-4 with a 6.26 ERA in five career starts against Oakland but has won both of his turns in 2018, allowing two unearned runs while registering 13 strikeouts against one walk over 13 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels recalled RHP Akeel Morris from Triple-A Salt Lake to replace Trout on the roster.

2. Oakland added Fernando Rodney to the active roster on Friday, a day after acquiring him from Minnesota, and designated fellow RHP Chris Hatcher for assignment.

3. Los Angeles released INF Luis Valbuena, who batted .199 with nine homers and 33 RBIs in 96 games this season before being designated for assignment on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Angels 2