Los Angeles @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2018 ) LA Angels 0, Oakland 10

The Oakland Athletics snapped a three-game slide with a convincing victory and look to take another step toward securing a postseason berth when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday in the finale of a three-game set. Oakland walloped the Angels 10-0 on Wednesday to maintain a 5 1/2-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League's second wild-card spot.

Right fielder Stephen Piscotty matched his career high of five RBIs in Wednesday's victory on a three-run homer and two-run double as the Athletics moved within four games of the Houston Astros in the American League West. Second baseman Jed Lowrie and center fielder Ramon Laureano each drove in two runs as Oakland scored at least seven runs for the fourth straight meeting with the Angels. Los Angeles managed four hits and had only one at-bat with runners in scoring position as it was blanked for the second time in the past five games. Star center fielder Mike Trout was hitless in three at-bats Wednesday and is batting .340 with three homers and eight RBIs in 47 at-bats against the Athletics this season.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, Facebook Watch

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Matt Shoemaker (2-1, 3.98 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Edwin Jackson (5-3, 3.17)

Shoemaker is making his fifth start since returning from a forearm injury and it will be his fourth outing on the road. The 31-year-old lost to the Seattle Mariners in his last turn when he gave up three runs and five hits and struck a season-best eight in 4 2/3 innings. Shoemaker defeated the Athletics when he gave up three runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings March 31 - the outing in which he was injured - and stands 6-2 with a 3.61 ERA in 13 career appearances (12 starts).

Jackson received a no-decision in his last turn when he gave up one run and four hits over five innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 35-year-old journeyman has pitched five or fewer innings in five of his last six starts, allowing two homers in three of the outings. Jackson defeated the Angels on Aug. 11 when he tossed 7 1/3 innings of three-hit shutout ball to improve to 5-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 13 career appearances (10 starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Piscotty is batting .328 with six homers and 18 RBIs in 58 at-bats in September.

2. Los Angeles DH Shohei Ohtani is 2-for-5 with two walks in the series and is batting .367 with five homers and 12 RBIs in 49 at-bats in September.

3. Oakland RHP Trevor Cahill (back) threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and could return to the rotation over the weekend.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, Angels 4