Oakland Athletics' right-hander Jarrod Parker will face Toronto RHP Esmil Rogers in Friday’s series opener at the Rogers Centre.Ben Margot/The Associated Press
Oakland Athletics (64-49) at Toronto Blue Jays (53-61)
Friday, 7:07 p.m. (EDT): RHP Jarrod Parker (7-6, 4.02 ERA) vs. RHP Esmil Rogers (3-6, 4.61)
Saturday, 1:07 p.m.:TBA vs. LHP Mark Buehrle (7-7, 4.41)
Sunday, 1:07 p.m.:RHP A.J. Griffin (10-8, 3.91) vs. R.A. Dickey (9-11, 4.49)
Monday, 12:37 p.m.:RHP Dan Straily (6-6, 4.41) vs. RHP Josh Johnson (2-8, 6.20)
Notes: Snared in an offensive slump, The A's have lost six of the past seven games, for an 8-10 record since the all-star break. They've lost ground to the streaking Texas Rangers and are tied atop the AL West. … In the past 22 games, the A's have lost four games by shutout, scored 3.3 runs per game and averaged .219. … Of eight non-pitchers in the starting lineup in a loss to the Cincinnati Reds last Wednesday, only 3B Josh Donaldson (.294, 17 homers) and SS Jed Lowrie (.288, eight homers) carried season batting averages above .250. … The pitching staff leads the majors in opponents on-base percentage and fewest walks per nine innings. However, the rotation may be showing signs of fatigue, going 4-4 with a 5.11 ERA on the past homestand; 40-year-old Bartolo Colon lasted fewer than three innings in Wednesday's loss. … Blue Jays 3B Brett Lawrie is coming around at the plate, going 15-for-36 (.417) in his past 10 games, with three walks and only four strikeouts. … Jays DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion reached the 30-homer plateau Wednesday for the second consecutive season. He hit 42 last year. … Jays C J.P. Arencibia was a late scratch in Seattle on Wednesday night with a sore knee.