Texas at Oakland

This is the seventh straight road game for Texas on a 10-game trip. The pitching staff has been taxed, allowing 25 runs the last three games and 37 the last six. Oakland has turned a corner since a seven-game skid, scoring 31 runs the last four contests. The Athletics are home for the fourth straight game and go with impressive young Daniel Mengden (3.18 ERA). He was solid in his major-league debut Saturday, giving up two runs on six hits in 5+ innings at Cincinnati. He earned a promotion by posting a combined 5-1 record with a 1.19 ERA in 11 minor-league starts between Double-A Midland and Triple-A Nashville. The Athletics have won six of eight home games, so grab the home division dog and play Oakland.