White Sox at Athletics
The Oakland Athletics have lost only one of their last 11 series and are 6-0-1 in their last seven as they surge toward a postseason spot. Oakland looks to complete a three-game sweep when it hosts the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
The Athletics, who are one-half game ahead of Cleveland for the second wild card in the American League, posted their third consecutive victory on Saturday - a 13-2 triumph that featured a seven-run first inning and three RBIs apiece from Robbie Grossman and Franklin Barreto. Oakland All-Star Matt Chapman is riding a four-game hitting streak during which he has gone 8-for-15 after collecting three hits in Saturday's rout. A day after combining for five hits in 10 at-bats, Leury Garcia and Yoan Moncada went 0-for-7 as Chicago suffered its fourth loss in five contests. The 0-for-4 effort by Moncada, who drove in a run with a groundout, ended a 14-game hitting streak during which he recorded seven multi-hit performances.
TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (4-8, 6.34 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Brett Anderson (9-5, 3.86)
Lopez is coming off a loss to Detroit on July 4 in which he was tagged for seven runs - six earned - and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old Dominican has lost four of his last five decisions and hasn't sported an ERA under 6.00 since entering a setback at Minnesota on May 24 with a 5.14 mark. Lopez made his only career start against the Athletics on April 16, 2018, when he allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while registering 10 strikeouts over six frames in a loss at Oakland.
Anderson has allowed three runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts, including a victory at Seattle on July 5 in which he gave up two - and five hits - over 6 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old Texan has won five of his last seven decisions but lost two of his last three turns at home. Anderson has made five career starts against Chicago, going 1-1 with 4.55 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics SS Marcus Semien has recorded three straight multi-hit performances, going 7-for-15 with a homer, two RBIs and four runs scored in that span.
2. Chicago designated Juan Minaya for assignment to make room for fellow RHP Dylan Covey (shoulder), who was activated from the 10-day injured list on Saturday and made the start - surrendering six runs on four hits and two walks while recording only two outs.
3. After hosting Seattle for two games, Oakland embarks on a crucial road trip that includes a four-game series against AL Central-leading Minnesota and a three-game set versus AL West-leading Houston.