Opposite dugout: A's headed toward second straight last-place finish

Manager: Bob Melvin (6th season)

Record: 48-63

Last 10 games: 2-8

Who to watch: 3B Danny Valencia (.293 with 92 hits), LF Khris Davis (27 HR, 69 RBIs), SS Marcus Semien (23 HR, 54 RBIs), LHP Rich Hill (9-3, 2.25 ERA), RHP Ryan Madson (3.74 ERA with 22 saves)

Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2

Pitching probables:

August 8: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. RHP Kendall Graveman, 10:05 p.m., MASN
August 9: LHP Wade Miley vs. RHP Zach Neal, 10:05 p.m., MASN2
August 10: RHP Yovani Gallardo vs. TBD, 10:05 p.m., MASN2
August 11: RHP Chris Tillman vs. TBD, 3:35 p.m., MASN

Inside the Athletics:

Back in 2012, two teams came out of American League obscurity to find their way into the postseason, much to the surprise of fans and media pundits everywhere. One team, of course, was the Orioles, who made the playoffs for the first time since 1997. The other, however, was the Oakland Athletics. After hovering around .500 the previous five seasons, the 2012 Athletics captured the AL West title and advanced to the division series. With two more playoff appearances in 2013 and 2014, it seemed as if the Athletics were going to be a force to be reckoned with on the West Coast for years to come.

Unfortunately for the A's, the past few years haven't been too kind. The team crashed last season, finishing last in the AL West with a 68-94 mark. And with just less than two months left this season, it looks like the A's are headed for their second straight last-place finish.

The A's are a decent team from an offensive perspective. Their .249 team average ranks 18th in the majors, as do their 945 hits on the season. But playing in the American League, where power is necessary to compete for a championship, the A's fall short, ranking below the league average and 11th in the Junior Circuit with only 121 home runs. That number is led by left fielder Khris Davis, whose 27 home runs are tops in the lineup. Davis hit 27 home runs with the Brewers a year ago, and will undoubtedly set a new career high before too long. Marcus Semien hit his 23rd home run in Sunday's loss to the Cubs, while third baseman Danny Valencia has been the team's biggest surprise this season. Valencia, playing for his sixth team in as many seasons, leads the Athletics with a .296 batting average and 92 hits. Outfielder Billy Burns was to be the A's top threat on the basepaths - already with 14 steals on the year - but he was traded to Kansas City on July 30.

As far as the starting rotation, things are a little fluid at the moment. The A's have listed starters for the first two games of the four-game series with the Orioles, but have yet to announce starters for the matchups Wednesday and Thursday. In the opener, right-hander Kendall Graveman earns his 22nd start. Graveman is 7-7 on the year, but has really improved as the season has progressed. He posted a 4-1 mark in five starts in July, including a complete-game victory against the Rays back on July 23. Even with the hot July, it'll be interesting to see how Graveman fares against a powerful Orioles lineup. Graveman faced the Orioles in Baltimore on May 8 and lasted just 2 2/3 innings in an 11-3 Orioles victory. In his last start on August 3, Graveman gave up six earned runs over four innings in a loss to the Angels. Rookie Zach Neal will make just his second career start Tuesday night. In his starting debut on May 25, things went, well, not so memorable. Neal issued seven earned runs on eight hits in a 13-3 loss to Seattle. Neal's other appearances have all come from the bullpen, where he's actually posted a respectable 3.15 ERA and walked only one batter in 20 innings of work. As for the final two games of the series, the Athletics still have to announce who will fill in for the starts. Sonny Gray was scheduled to start Thursday's series finale, but was placed on the 15-day disabled list with soreness in his right extensor muscle.

Longtime Philadelphia Phillie Ryan Madson is enjoying a nice inaugural season in Oakland. The closer has picked up 22 saves in his first season with the A's and even picked up the win in his last appearance on August 4 against the Angels. Madson isn't untouchable on the mound, however. Prior to his most recent outing, Madson issued earned runs in back-to-back appearances in the ninth inning, even costing the A's a victory against the rival Rangers. Right-hander Ryan Dull has been impressive with a 5-3 record and a 2.10 ERA.