Davis the X-factor for A's in playoff hunt

The Oakland Athletics are 10 games above .500 and putting heat on the American League wild-card leaders while hoping one of their biggest weapons will awaken.

Slugger Khris Davis contributed an RBI single during the series-opening 5-1 win over the Chicago White Sox, and the host Athletics are hoping that is a sign the 31-year-old is ready to rediscover his form as they enter Saturday's middle contest of the three-game set.

The RBI was Davis' first since June 25 as he has suffered through an injury-ravaged season. He hurt his left hip in May and then injured his left hand in late June, with both ailments impairing his production.

Davis was 2-for-24 over his last seven games prior to the All-Star break, and he hasn't homered since June 18, a span of 59 consecutive plate appearances.

"He went from one injury to the next and kept wanting to play," Oakland manager Bob Melvin told reporters before the series opener. "You watch him swing, and it was affected by the injuries. Hopefully, we're past that now. Typically, when he's healthy, he's very productive."

Davis clubbed more homers (133) over the previous three seasons than anybody else in the majors. He has 16 this season, but 10 of them were by April 12.

The Athletics are also waiting on outfielder Stephen Piscotty (knee) to get healthy. If Davis regains his power stroke and Piscotty hits like he did last year when he had 27 homers with 88 RBIs, Oakland can trot out a playoff-worthy offensive cast.

Combine the duo with All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman (team-best 21 homers) first baseman Matt Olson (19) and center fielder Ramon Laureano (hit No. 17 on Friday), and Oakland figures to have a chance at following up last season's wild-card berth.

The Athletics have won 15 of their past 20 games and are a half-game behind the Cleveland Indians for the second spot.

"Every year is different, and the way we've gotten here is a lot different, but I think we're capable of getting better as we go along," Melvin said. "I thought that from the very beginning ... I think we have more confidence at this point. We're getting contributions from everybody. We have some guys that are going to heat up that are going to impact our lineup."

The White Sox avoided a shutout in the opener thanks to shortstop Leury Garcia's run-scoring single with two outs in the ninth.

Chicago third baseman Yoan Moncada went 3-for-5 to extend his career-best hitting streak to 14 games.

"We strung some things together, but we weren't able to get a big hit or put any runs across," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said afterward.

The White Sox announced late Friday night that right-hander Dylan Covey will get the start on Saturday.

Covey (shoulder) is currently on the 10-day injured list, but Renteria said prior to Friday's game that the 27-year-old is ready to be activated after making a 74-pitch rehab start for Triple-A Charlotte last Sunday.

"His side (session) the other day went well," Renteria said.

Covey (1-4, 4.58 ERA) last pitched for the White Sox on June 5 when he gave up two runs and seven hits over five innings in a no-decision against the Washington Nationals.

Covey's lone career start against Oakland occurred last season, when he gave up four runs and two hits in four innings in a no-decision.

Right-hander Chris Bassitt (5-4, 4.29) will be on the mound for Oakland.

The 30-year-old Bassitt was roughed up for six runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Seattle Mariners on July 6.

Bassitt was a 16th-round draft pick by the White Sox in 2011. He was dealt to Oakland following the 2014 season as part of the package for pitcher Jeff Samardzija.

Bassitt is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two career starts versus Chicago.

--Field Level Media