I must confess - I’m not too interested in this series. There are much more exciting things going on in the National League this weekend.

But it’s our final weekend and we’ll finally be able to look back on the complete 162-game Oakland A’s season when this is all said and done, so let’s get to it.

Tonight, 7:05 p.m. PDT: John Lackey vs. Dan Haren
Both of these guys are going for me tonight in my fantasy team (championship round!) so I’m hoping for a low-scoring affair. Haren can pick up a respectable 16th win here, while Lackey is likely just fine-tuning as he prepares to pitch Game 1 of the ALDS.

Saturday, 1:05 p.m. PDT: Kelvim Escobar vs. Dallas Braden
Dallas gets one more shot in 2007 to give us hope for him in 2008. I’ve been a Dallas Braden appologist at times this season, but he’s going to have to show massive improvement in the spring next year. Escobar will be going on 11 days rest, trying to get back on turn and a normal schedule for the ALDS.

Sunday, 1:05 p.m. PDT: Jered Weaver vs. Chad Gaudin
Chad? I thought I told you I didn’t want to see you again this year. Sigh… OK, get out there and pitch, then get some FREAKING REST already! Weaver, the Angels’ Game 3 starter, will get his final tuneup as the A’s prepare next week’s tee times.

The A’s visit Boston for a two-game quickie starting tonight. The A’s schedule against the Red Sox has been odd this year, as this is the second time they’re traveling all the way to Boston for just two games.

Tonight, 4:05 p.m. PDT: Chad Gaudin vs. Curt Schilling
This should be Gaudin’s last start of the year unless he gets the finale, which is yet to be determined. This guy will be welcoming the offseason rest as he has been obviously tired for the past month, if not two months. Schilling, on the other hand, will be pitching on eight days rest as the Sox look to line up their postseason rotation. The last time he faced the A’s, Schilling was perfection for 8 2/3 before Shannon Stewart spoiled the party. Hopefully the A’s fare better against him today.

Wednesday, 2:00 p.m. PDT: Joe Blanton vs. John Lester
Blanton looks to cap off a good season with his 15th win of the year. A solid finish could solidify his place as good trade bait or a #2 for next year. John Lester has not faced the A’s this year and is having a fine September.

Can the A’s make a difference in the AL East race? Not that it really matters, because the Sox have clinched a playoff berth… but oh well. I’m grasping for something - anything - right now!

Go A’s!!

The A’s kick off the final road trip of the season with a weekend series in Cleveland. The Tribe is on the brink of winning the division and look to pop the bubbly this weekend with the A’s in town. But even though the A’s have lost four in a row, they will be running out the best pitching 1-2-3 they have in a long time.

Tonight, 4:05 p.m. PDT: Joe Blanton vs. Fausto Carmona
Blanton is the only A’s starter that’s been experiencing a good September. The A’s have only lost one game with Blanton on the bump since August 1. Carmona has been money for the Indians this year, after having a 2006 to forget. Though, last time he faced the A’s, he had his worst outing of the year (1 IP, 8 ER).

Saturday, 4:05 p.m., PDT: Dan Haren vs. Paul Byrd
This is likely Haren’s second to last start of the year. It feels like he’s been looking for win #15 for months now. Can we just do this for him, A’s? It’d be a shame to see such a meager win total on a season that started so promising for our #1 pitcher. Speaking of 15 wins, that’s what Paul Byrd has, and he’ll be going for #16 here. The A’s have hit him well in his career.

Sunday, 10:05 a.m., PDT: Rich Harden vs. Jake Westbrook
Roll out of bed, cook yourself up a hearty breakfast, and watch Rich Harden make his return to the rotation Sunday. I’d say that’s what I’ll be doing, but I live in the central time zone so I’ll be eating lunch instead. Still, whatever meal of the day you’re eating, it’ll be nice to see #40 on the mound, albeit on a 70-80 pitch count. Jake Westbrook hasn’t pitched against the A’s yet this year and he’s been mediocre of late.

Go A’s!!