New York at Oakland

The New York Yankees have been a hot team, but the A's have been their equal, taking the opener last night 4-3. That has left the A's hotter than the Yankees at 11-2 over their last 13 games, and a bona fide wildcard contender. The A's have gotten outstanding pitching during the 13-game run allowing a grand total of 36 runs, or less than 3 per game, and held the hard-hitting Yankees to 3 here last night. Tonight they send Tom Milone to the mound who is a competent 9-6 on the season, but has been growing up in a hurry. Over his last five starts Milone has allowed just 5 runs and worked 34 innings for an ERA of 1.32. He has displayed pinpoint control walking just three, which works out to less than 1 per nine innings, and the A's have won five of his last six starts. The Yankees counter with Ivan Nova who was torched for 6 runs in his last start, and the Yanks have bitten the bullet in three of his last four starts. Oakland has been pounding right-hand pitching where they are 21-6 in their last 27, including 14-2 in their last 16 at home. Play on Oakland.