Oakland headed into the All-Star break bursting with confidence.<\/p>\n
Winners of six of its last seven, and sitting at .500 on the year for the first time since 2008, when it was 51-44 at the half, but ultimately finished a disappointing 75-86. \u00a0<\/p>\n
OAK: Tommy Milone (8-6, 3.57 ERA) v MIN Cole De Vries (2-1, 3.00 ERA) Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Nevertheless, they will look to extend the Twins misery, while continuing their recent success when they take on Minnesota in Game 2 of a three-game set on Saturday night at Target Field.<\/p>\n Oakland will need to put together a plan though, as they were swept by Minnesota, while being held to just a total of six runs back on May 28-30.<\/p>\n And allowing 15 runs in their last seven heading into Friday’s opener-seven of which came in that lone loss-is not going to help matters.<\/p>\n Pitching will be key, and the A’s will hope they get a strong outing from 25-year-old southpaw Tommy Milone, who will be the team’s No. 2 starter for the second half.<\/p>\n Milone posted his eighth win of the season behind a career-high nine strikeouts in seven innings, to help lift his team to a 4-1 victory over the Seattle Marines a week ago. The lefty’s previous best for strikeouts in a game was six, which he had done three times — including his last start at Texas on June 30. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n With that win, the A’s pulled to within 2 -1\/2 games of Baltimore for the second AL wild-card spot.<\/p>\n Aiming to put a stop to their run will be the Twins Cole De Vries.<\/p>\n The rookie right-hander has made five starts for the Twins this season and posted a 3.00 ERA while working at least five innings in each outing, and went seven scoreless innings at Texas last Sunday. De Vries limited a potent Rangers’ lineup to just three hits and garnered five strikeouts in the no-decision.<\/p>\n However, his first look at Oakland didn’t go so well, as he walked five A’s batters, before settling down through five total innings.<\/p>\n He will need to command of his pitches early if he wants to help the AL-worst Twins turn things around in this one.<\/p>\n
\nDate\/Time: Saturday, July 14, 2012, 7:10 PM ET
\nVenue: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
\nBroadcast: CSN-California (Oakland), FOX Sports North (Minnesota)
\nLine: Twins -133
\nOver\/Under: 7.5 (120)<\/strong><\/p>\n