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By MARC TOPKIN
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 31, 2001
7:15 tonight,
4:15 Saturday,
1:15 Sunday
SCOUTING REPORT: Having just played the best team in the majors, the Rays now play the hottest one. The A's are a major-league best 33-13 since the All-Star break and 20-7 in August, muscling their way into control of the AL wild-card spot. The pitching of Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson and Barry Zito has been a major reason for Oakland's turnaround from an 8-18 start, along with the star-quality performance from Jason Giambi, the resurgence of Johnny Damon and the acquisition of Jermaine Dye. Shortstop Miguel Tejada doesn't get as much attention, but his 25 home runs and 87 RBI have been rather important. The A's weakness is the bullpen, which has blown a major-league high 22 saves, nine by closer Jason Isringhausen.
THE PAST WEEK: After losing four straight, the A's turned around and won four in a row, opening a season-high five-game lead over Boston in the wild-card race.
OAKLAND-TAMPA BAY CONNECTIONS: Oakland pitchers Cory Lidle and Mark Guthrie were with Tampa Bay last season. A third ex-Ray, Jim Mecir, is on the Oakland disabled list. ... Ben Grieve starred for the A's for three seasons before being sent to the Rays in a three-way January deal involving Damon and Roberto Hernandez. Lidle was a throw-in. ... Steve Cox was an expansion draft pick from Oakland.
ALL-TIME SERIES: The A's lead 23-10, winning 20 of the past 24 games. It has been especially brutal lately, with the A's winning seven of the past eight and outscoring the Rays 74-14.
WHO'S HOT: Who else but Jason Giambi, who is hitting .357 (55-for-154) with 13 home runs and 41 RBI in his last 45 games.
WHO'S NOT: Second baseman Frank Menechino is hitting .143 (4-for-28) over his last eight games, and .173 (22-for-127) since the break.