The set-up: The A's snapped a six-game slide on a walk-off HR last night. Oakland owns the AL's worst record (36-48) and Chicago its second-worst mark (37-46), as the two teams meet in the rubber match of this three-games series Wednesday afternoon. The A's are 23-21 at home and the White Sox just 18-28 on the road.

The pitching matchup: Mike Pelfrey (3-6 & 4.13 ERA) gets the nod for Chicago and Sonny Gray (3-4 & 4.09 ERA) for the A's. Pelfrey had a no-decision versus Texas in his last start, despite giving up five runs on eight hits (over five innings) and surrendering a pair of HRs for the second straight start. He has only one win in his last seven outings (six starts), although Chicago is 3-3 in those starts. That stretch includes a 3-0 home loss to the A's on June 23, which leaves him 0-5 in five career starts against Oakland, along with a bloated 7.56 ERA in those contests! Gray got a late start to the 2017 season due to injury but is coming off one of his best performances in his last outing, although he suffered a hard-luck loss. He allowed just one run on two hits over a season-high eight innings against Atlanta on June 30 (Braves won 3-1). Gray also was superb in his previous outing, beating the White Sox 5-3 in Chicago with seven strong innings of two-run ball (one earned). That gives him a 2-0 record (4.13 ERA) in four career starts vs. Chicago, although the A's are just 2-2.

The pick: Two bad teams here but with Chicago's poor 18-28 record and Pelfrey's downright 'ugly' 0-5 (7.56 ERA) career mark against the A's, Oakland has to be the 8* play.