BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (Interstat) — The Minnesota Twins will host the Oakland Athletics on Friday at 7:10 p.m. at Target Field, with both clubs looking to build momentum in a tight American League playoff race. Minnesota enters the contest at 51-53, winners of two of its last three after a 3-1, 12-inning victory over Cleveland on Thursday. The Twins are 2 1/2 games back of the final wild-card spot in the AL. Oakland (43-59) has lost five of its last six and sits at the bottom of the AL West. The Athletics were blown out 15-5 by Arizona on Wednesday, the fourth time in their past seven games they have allowed at least nine runs. Right-hander Taj Bradley is scheduled to start for Minnesota. The 25-year-old has been the Twins’ most consistent starter of late, posting a 1.67 ERA over his past four outings. On Thursday, Bradley worked seven innings of two-hit, one-run ball against Cleveland, striking out five. He owns a 2.57 ERA across 12 starts this season. Jeff McNeil will be a key bat for Oakland. The second baseman/outfielder is hitting .286 in July and drove in a run with two hits, including a home run, in Wednesday’s loss at Arizona. McNeil also had three hits and two RBIs in a 15-1 win over Washington on July 18. Oakland has not announced a starting pitcher. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 Twins victory. Minnesota is a minus-1.5 favorite on the run line and the over/under is set at 9.5 runs. The series continues with games Saturday and Sunday, both at 1:10 p.m. The Athletics then return home for a four-game set against Boston beginning Monday. The Twins open a four-game home series against Kansas City on Tuesday.