Rangers series preview: Oakland A’s

After sweeping the Mariners, the Rangers enter the weekend in Oakland at .500, on a four game win streak, and just 2.5 games back in the wild card. Once again.

Oakland also comes into the series on a four game win streak, 7-3 for their last 10.

The A’s have won the last five games against the Rangers at O.co including a sweep the last time they played in Oakland. They’ll face each other seven times in the last 10 games of the season.

Nick Martinez has pitched well in Oakland in the past but is looking for his first win since June 25. He’s 0-3 in his last five starts and four appearances with a 7.02 ERA and will make the start in the first game of the series.

Kendall Graveman who has had the Ranger’s number in his three starts against them this season going 2-0 and giving up just six runs in those three starts. In his last start he went just two innings and gave up one hit.

Gonzalez will face Manaea in Saturday’s game. Gonzalez hasn’t faced Oakland since 2015 and he’s 0-1 with a 5.09 ERA in three career starts against Oakland. Manaea is 3-4 with a 6.06 ERA in his last seven starts.

Martin Perez will make the start on Sunday, his first start against Oakland since April when he gave up four runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings. Oakland will have a mystery pitcher on Sunday.

Beltre has 38 home runs against the A’s in his career and Elvis has a .438 average against Gravemen in his career.