The Oakland Athletics will look to snag their third win in a row against the AL West leading Texas Rangers when the teams wrap up a huge four-game series in Arlington on Thursday afternoon. A win would also help hold off a surging Los Angeles Angels club that has won five in a row and trails the A's by just two games for the second AL Wild Card spot.
Oakland will send left-hander Travis Blackley (5-3, 3.75) to the hill. He's making his 13th start for the A's 2012, after spending some time in the bullpen and returning to the rotation last week when Brett Anderson was shelved by an oblique strain. Blackley managed to last just two innings in his last start against the Yankees, giving up four runs (two earned) on four hits with three walks.
Texas will counter with right-hander Matt Harrison (17-10, 3.17). Harrison, who has been a horse for the Rangers all season, has been a bit shaky in his last five starts, posting a 2-3 record with a 3.90 ERA.
The starting lineups for Thursday's game are as follows:
Oakland Athletics (88-67)
- Stephen Drew (L) SS
- Jonny Gomes (R) LF
- Yoenis Cespedes (R) DH
- Chris Carter (R) 1B
- Brandon Moss (L) RF
- Josh Donaldson (R) 3B
- Josh Reddick (L) CF
- Derek Norris (R) C
- Adam Rosales (R) 2B
Texas Rangers (91-64)
- Ian Kinsler (R) 2B
- Elvis Andrus (R) SS
- Josh Hamilton (L) LF
- Adrian Beltre (R) 3B
- Nelson Cruz (R) RF
- Michael Young (R) 1B
- Mike Napoli (R) DH
- Geovany Soto (R) C
- Craig Gentry (R) CF
First pitch is schedule for 11:05 a.m. PT in Arlington, and the game will be broadcast on 95.7 FM - The Game.