Athletics at Rangers
The Oakland Athletics have been on a roll of late, and they can begin their nine-game road trip with the utmost confidence after posting back-to-back victories over the best team in the major leagues. Oakland seeks its seventh win in eight contests when it kicks off its trek Monday with the opener of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers.
The Athletics had their four-game winning streak halted by league-leading Boston on Friday but bounced back with a 3-0 triumph behind Sean Manaea's no-hitter and a 4-1 victory in the series finale thanks to a three-run eighth inning. Khris Davis continued his strong performance at the plate on Sunday, delivering an RBI single in the first inning and a three-run homer in the eighth to give him hits in 10 of his last 11 games. Texas halted its three-game slide on Sunday with a 7-4 win over Seattle in which Joey Gallo and Isiah Kiner-Falefa drove in two runs apiece. The victory also ended a six-game skid at home for the Rangers, who split a four-game series in Oakland earlier this month.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Trevor Cahill (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Matt Moore (1-3, 5.59)
Cahill's season debut on Tuesday was an impressive one, as he picked up a victory over the Chicago White Sox after striking out eight and scattering five hits over seven scoreless innings. The 30-year-old Californian, who began his career with Oakland in 2009, started the campaign with Triple-A Nashville after signing a one-year contract in March. Cahill has enjoyed success against Texas in his career, recording a 2.69 ERA and 10 victories - his most versus any opponent - with just four losses in 17 starts.
Moore is coming off the best of his four starts this season, a win at Tampa Bay on Tuesday in which he allowed an unearned run and five hits over seven innings. The 28-year-old Floridian has had issues at home, however, surrendering 13 runs - 12 earned - on 19 hits and seven walks over 12 1/3 frames in three turns - all losses. Moore has made five career starts against Oakland, going 1-2 with a horrid 7.07 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers OF Delino DeShields (wrist) went 0-for-4 on Sunday after being activated from the disabled list prior to the game, with OF Carlos Tocci landing on the DL with a bruised left hip.
2. Oakland has allowed fewer than two runs in four of its last six victories and two in another.
3. Texas RHP Doug Fister (hip) is expected to be activated from the DL on Wednesday and start the series finale.