Athletics vs. Mets: Oakland Looks To Stay Hot In Interleague Play

The Oakland Athletics head on the road starting Tuesday for six games of interleague play against the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. The A's finally got back on track this past week with five straight wins against the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants and are looking to keep the hot streak going on the road. After climbing into a first place tie in May, the A's fell apart losing thirteen of fourteen at one point. However, a change in managers from Bob Geren to Bob Melvin and the insertion of rookie Jemile Weeks in the starting lineup have sparked something in the team.

The A's will send out Josh Outman, Gio Gonzalez and Graham Godfrey this week against the Mets. New York is two games below .500 and is 10-8 in June. The A's biggest challenge from the Mets offense will be in the form of Jose Reyes. Reyes has bounced back strong from two years of struggles and currently sports a line of .341/.385/.517 with 26 steals. While his home run totals remain relatively low, he's on pace for a career high slugging percentage thanks to big doubles and triples numbers.

The Mets pitching hasn't been dominant but the first starter of the series, Dillon Gee, might be the answer the Mets need. He made two starts in April followed by three relief appearances, but seems to have settled in to a starting role and has easily been the Mets best starter this season. In his ten starts he's given up no more than four runs and has only given up one run in his last 19 innings. He'll face Josh Outman Monday night.

This week will likely bring a big decision for the A's as second baseman Mark Ellis is eligible to come off the disabled list on Wednesday. He has been in Sacramento making some rehab starts and appears 100% healthy and recovered from his hamstring injury. Jemile Weeks has been playing some fantastic baseball in place of Ellis and would appear to have done enough to secure the second base job for the foreseeable future. The question now is whether Ellis will settle in as a utility infielder or if the A's will trade him in the coming weeks.