The Oakland Athletics have played great baseball lately to move just 1 1/2 games behind first-place Houston in the AL West. They posted a 7-1 victory over the Twins Friday night and I expect another easy Oakland win here with right-hander Mike Fiers on the mound.

Fiers (9-6, 3.21 ERA) is 5-1 with a 3.06 ERA lifetime against Minnesota and the A's have won each of his three starts since coming over from Detroit, with Fiers allowing just two runs through 18 1/3 innings of work. He held Texas scoreless with eight Ks through seven frames his last time out.

The Twins turn to left-hander Stephen Gonsalves (0-1, 27.00 ERA) who made his major-league debut last week. Gonsalves was charged with four runs on six hits and two walks in 1 /3 frames and I think he'll be pounded by the A's hot bats tonight.

Athletics are 18-5 in their last 23 games vs. a left-handed starter.

10* play on Oakland Athletics.