The Athletics look to avoid a third straight defeat Thursday night when they host the Toronto Blue Jays, who are at risk of matching their longest losing streak of the season.
Oakland (56-48) went a franchise-best 19-5 in July but ended the month with an 8-0 loss to Tampa Bay, then opened August by falling 4-1 to the Rays on Wednesday.
Owners of the final wild-card spot in the AL, the A's hadn't dropped two straight since a three-game skid June 28-30. They now look to avoid losing three in a row at home for the first time since a season-high five-game losing streak there May 22-27.
Oakland is hitting .170 over its past four games, losing three, while getting held to six runs and striking out 53 times.
Yoenis Cespedes has batted .429 in his last 19 games while Josh Reddick and Jemile Weeks are struggling.
The Cuban rookie drove in five runs as the A's won two of three games in Toronto (51-53) last week, totaling 27 runs in the series with six homers.
Scheduled Oakland starter Bartolo Colon (7-8, 3.78 ERA) is 0-2 in his last five home starts, allowing four runs and eight hits in each of the last two. However, he won for the first time in six starts Saturday, throwing 5 2-3 scoreless innings in a 6-1 victory at Baltimore on Saturday.
The burly right-hander hasn't faced the Blue Jays this season after struggling in his final four starts against them last year, going 0-2 with a 10.06 ERA.
He'll face a Toronto team which has been limited to seven runs and a .186 average during a four-game losing streak. The Blue Jays lost a season-high five straight May 22-27.
It surely hasn't helped that they remain without star slugger Jose Bautista, sidelined since July 16 with a sprained wrist. Bautista ranks among the major league leaders with 27 homers and 65 RBIs.
Edwin Encarnacion, who has 28 homers and 72 RBIs, went 0 for 11 in Toronto's three games at Seattle this week. He's 2 for 12 versus Colon.
Henderson Alvarez (7-7, 4.43) looks to win a third consecutive start when he takes the mound for Toronto. After giving up a career-high seven runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 15-7 win at Boston on July 22, the right-hander yielded one in seven frames of a 5-1 victory over Detroit on Saturday.
Alvarez's only two starts against Oakland came last season, going 0-1 with a 3.09 ERA.
Blue Jays are 5-2 in their last 7 games as an underdog.
Blue Jays are 3-7 in their last 10 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Blue Jays are 4-10 in their last 14 road games.
Blue Jays are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a loss.Blue Jays are 1-5 in their last 6 games as a road underdog of +110 to +150.
Blue Jays are 1-6 in their last 7 vs. American League West.
Blue Jays are 0-4 in their last 4 overall.
Blue Jays are 0-4 in their last 4 games on grass.
Blue Jays are 4-1 in Alvarezs last 5 starts as an underdog.
Blue Jays are 4-9 in Alvarezs last 13 starts.
Blue Jays are 1-4 in Alvarezs last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
Athletics are 4-0 in their last 4 during game 1 of a series.
Athletics are 5-1 in their last 6 games following a loss.
Athletics are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
Athletics are 10-3 in their last 13 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Athletics are 10-3 in their last 13 Thursday games.
Athletics are 20-6 in their last 26 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Athletics are 0-4 in their last 4 games as a favorite.
Athletics are 4-1 in Colons last 5 starts vs. American League East.
Athletics are 4-1 in Colons last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
Athletics are 4-1 in Colons last 5 starts.
Athletics are 4-1 in Colons last 5 starts on grass.
OAK ATHLETICS -127
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