Friday's game preview

Tim Wakefield gets the ball tonight for the Sox, which might be just what's needed to keep the A's off balance after they were seemingly locked in on Schill's fastball Thursday.

Wake is coming off a tough 1-0 loss to the Stinkins Sunday. In that game, he struck out 12 in a complete-game effort.

Thursday's loss to the A's, coupled with a win by the Stinkins in Tampa, has reduced the Sox lead in the AL East to 1.5 games. The Stinkins are in Toronto for three, starting tonight.

The A's are fighting for their playoff lives. They're tied for the AL West lead with the Angels, but they're 3 games behind Cleveland in the Wild Card race. Their best chance at a trip to the postseason is to win the division.

The Angels are hosting the Tigers for four games. Detroit took the first game of the set, 8-6, Thursday.

The Indians open a 3-game set at home against Kansas City tonight.