The Oakland Athletics continue their eight-game homestand against the National League Central when they take on the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday. Oakland has prospered since returning to the Bay Area, winning four of five games on the homestand after dropping four of five on the road. The Athletics rallied from a pair of three-run deficits Sunday to win 7-5 over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Chicago built a six-run lead over the Mariners on Sunday before holding on for a 7-6 triumph in Seattle. The win improved the Cubs to 4-2 on their nine-game trip and clinched their third consecutive series victory. Chicago, which has played regular-season games in 113 different stadiums, will be visiting Oakland for the first time.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), CSN California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Scott Feldman (7-6, 3.46 ERA) vs. Athletics RH A.J. Griffin (6-6, 3.56)
Feldman will be making his fourth consecutive start on the road, where he is 3-4 with a 4.15 ERA. The 30-year-old allowed three runs and six hits over six innings in a victory at Milwaukee on Wednesday. Feldman owns a 4-6 record and a ghastly 6.37 ERA in 21 career games against the Athletics, including 12 starts.
Griffin is coming off the best start of his major-league career, a two-hit shutout over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. The victory was the first in six outings for the 25-year-old, who allowed four runs in four of his previous six turns. Griffin will be facing the Cubs for the first time.
WALK-OFFS
1. The majority of Feldman's struggles against the Athletics have come in Oakland, where he is 1-5 with an 8.39 ERA.
2. Chicago OF Ryan Sweeney suffered a fractured rib when crashing into the wall Saturday and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
3. Oakland is an American League-best 26-13 at home, where it has won 16 of its last 19 games.
PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Cubs 1