The Oakland Athletics open their final series of the regular season Friday night against the Texas Rangers, hoping to better position themselves for at least one more home game during the American League playoffs.

Having won eight of nine, the A's (92-61) begin play Friday with a two-game lead over Tampa Bay and Cleveland in the three-team battle for the two AL wild cards. The Rays (vs. Boston) and Indians (vs. Philadelphia) also play at home this weekend.

Oakland not only has two teams to worry about, but also the health of right-hander Mike Fiers (14-4, 4.09 ERA), who left his most recent start at Texas on Saturday with numbness in his pitching hand.