Oakland at Texas

So Oakland has to win to clinch a playoff spot? They did yesterday, too, and flunked, which has happened a lot the last two months. Texas won for the 13th time in 15 games when it defeated Oakland on Saturday, and that victory prevented the Athletics from clinching an American League Wild-Card spot. The Athletics have been scuffling and have lost eight of 12 games. Sonny Gray goes for Oakland, but has lost three straight decisions and is 1-7 over his last 11 starts. The Athletics are 3-8 against a team with a losing record, plus 0-4 in Gray's last four starts as a favorite. The Texas Rangers have been playing good baseball over the second half of September at 8-1 in their last nine home games. Starter Nick Martinez has won back-to-back starts while finishing the season strong. He pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings of five-hit ball while beating Houston on Tuesday, and he has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last five starts. Martinez beat Oakland on Sept. 18 when he allowed two runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings. Texas is 5-1 the last six against Oakland and can heap more misery on their stumbling division rival. Play Texas!