Oakland @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2018 ) Oakland 2, Tampa Bay 1

The Oakland Athletics keep putting the heat on the New York Yankees while moving closer to sealing the American League's second wild-card berth. Oakland is 1 1/2 games behind New York for the first wild card and holds a nine-game lead over Tampa Bay entering Saturday's middle contest of a three-game set with the host Rays.

The Athletics dealt Tampa Bay a big blow with Friday's 2-1 victory, courtesy of Khris Davis' major league-leading 42th homer in the 10th inning. Oakland has won nine of its last 11 games and is 35-16 since the All-Star break while trailing the AL West-leading Houston Astros by 2 1/2 games in the division race. The Rays fell for just the third in their past 12 games but they likely needed to sweep the series with the Athletics to have a realistic shot at chasing them down in the wild-card race. Tampa Bay outfielder Tommy Pham extended his career-best hitting streak to 17 games and is 27-for-69 with three homers and 11 RBIs during the stretch.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Liam Hendriks (0-1, 5.94 ERA) vs. Rays RH Ryne Stanek (2-3, 2.58)

Trevor Cahill (back) was scratched and left Oakland without a starter so manager Bob Melvin is electing to go the "opener" route and having Hendriks be the first pitcher. The 29-year-old Australian also served as the opener on Wednesday when he gave up one hit in a scoreless inning against Baltimore. Hendriks is 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA in 12 career appearances (two starts) against the Rays.

Stanek will serve as the "opener" for the 26th time as manager Kevin Cash continues to use relievers to start games. The 27-year-old was actually the second pitcher in Friday's game, working a scoreless third inning while issuing one walk. Stanek has fanned 70 batters in 59 1/3 innings while limiting opposing hitters to a .184 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics All-Star RHP Blake Treinen hasn't allowed a hit in his last 10 appearances, a stretch covering 11 1/3 innings.

2. Tampa Bay 3B Matt Duffy (back) was in the lineup in the opener after missing three straight starts and went 1-for-4.

3. Oakland RF Stephen Piscotty went hitless in four at-bats on Friday to see his career-high 14-game hitting streak reach an end.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Athletics 3