The set-up: Manny Machado homered on Monday (he had three on Sunday!) but it couldn't stop Baltimore from suffering a 3-2 defeat at Oakland, as the 63-48 Orioles fell into a virtual tie for first place in the AL East with the 64-49 Toronto Blue Jays. This four-game series continues Tuesday in Oakland, whose Monday win was just its second in the last 10 games. The 49-63 Athletics have scored only six runs over their first four contests of a 10-game homestand. Oakland in last place in the AL West, 16 1/2 games back and is hardly much closer in the wild card standings (12 games back).

The pitching matchup: Newly-acquired Wade Miley (7-9, 5.08 ERA) takes the mound for Baltimore, while the A's counter with rookie Zach Neal (1-1, 5.25 ERA). Miley was recently acquired from Seattle and lost his Baltimore debut with he gave up four runs on eight hits in five innings this past Thursday. That defeat continued his recent decline, which has seen him lose seven of his last eight decisions after a 6-2 start. Neal, at least for the moment, has moved into the rotation with Sonny Gray getting placed on the disabled list. This start will be just his second of the season. He has made 10 relief appearances and just that one spot start over four stints with the A's this season. His first start (way back on May 25) didn't go well, as he was ripped for seven runs (all earned) on eight hits in four innings at Seattle in a 13-3 loss.

The pick: Neal hasn't been scored on in 9 1/3 innings over his last four appearances (all in relief) but as we saw back in late May, a start is a ‘horse of a different color.' Miley had a rough debut for the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday against the Rangers but in two career starts against the Athletics (both last year), he's 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA. The Orioles have had their struggles on the road but in Oakland (and in the inexperienced Neal), they are in a very winnable situation. 8* play on the Orioles.