ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers tinkered with their rotation this week to get things set up for a possible postseason run.
Now all the Rangers have to do is get there, which seems like a certainty for a club with an 8 1/2-game lead in the American League West.
However, just getting to the postseason isn't enough for the Rangers or left-hander Cole Hamels (14-5, 3.24 ERA), who gets the start for Texas on Friday in the series opener against Oakland. Right-hander Kendall Graveman (10-10, 4.13 ERA) will start for the A's.
After two rocky starts, Hamels was better Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels, as he allowed two runs in six innings. It marked the first time in three starts that he went more than 4 1/3 innings. Hamels is 0-1 in those three outings with an 11.25 ERA.
Those aren't exactly the kind of numbers he expects out of himself as he's lined up to be the Game 1 starter in the American League Division Series if the club makes it to the postseason.
"I wasn't happy I walked four guys (against the Angels)," Hamels said. "That's kind of been my downfall this year. To me, that's unacceptable. To me, that's something I've got to correct. When you get to the postseason, walks hurt you. You can't give away freebies. That's the focus -- getting back to establishing strikes in the strike zone and being aggressive, not putting myself behind."
The 72 walks Hamels has allowed are a career high and the most in the American League. While that number isn't good, he knows he has time to get things going.
"My main focus is being ready for the postseason," Hamels said. "Maintaining health, that's what you want and be sure that everything's in sync and take the understanding of what it takes to get into the postseason and succeed in the postseason. We're getting ready every day to put ourselves in the best possible position to be prepared."
Before the Rangers can get to the postseason, they have to figure out a way to beat the red-hot A's, who have been tough on the Rangers despite their standing in the West.
Oakland is coming off a four-game sweep of Kansas City in which it outscored the Royals by 31 runs, the largest margin of victory for Oakland in a four-game set in club history.
The A's have made like tough for the Rangers, too. The A's are 6-7 against Texas, despite getting swept in their last series in Arlington.
Oakland has found a spark with young players such as third baseman Ryon Healy, who homered and drove in three in a 14-5 win at Kansas City on Thursday.
"Veteran guys look at this and say, you know what, I've got to up my game a little," Oakland manager Bob Melvin told MLB.com of his team's surge.
Graveman is the leading winner for Oakland, and he allowed three runs or fewer in four of his past five starts. His last outing was a dud, though, as he gave up eight runs and 12 hits in five-plus innings Saturday against the Seattle Mariners.
Despite being Oakland's leader in starts and innings pitched, he hasn't faced the Rangers yet this season. In his two career starts vs. Texas, he has struggled to a 7.84 ERA, but he does have a win against the Rangers.
Hamels got a no-decision against the A's on May 17 in Oakland, allowing four runs (three earned) in 6 2/3 innings. In three career starts vs. the A's, he is 1-1 with a 2.18 ERA.