WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates and Athletics open a three-game series Monday at Sutter Health Park with both teams hovering near .500 and looking to gain traction.

First pitch is set for 7:07 p.m. The Pirates enter at 36-36, while the Athletics are 35-36. Pittsburgh has lost four of its last five, including a 4-2 defeat Sunday to Miami. The Athletics dropped a 23-9 slugfest to Colorado on Sunday, their most lopsided loss of the season.

Pittsburgh lists two probable pitchers for Monday: right-handers Jared Jones (1-0) and J.T. Ginn (4-3). The Athletics had not announced a starter at press time.

The Pirates will lean on a bullpen game or a tandem start. Ginn has been effective this season, while Jones makes his fifth appearance. The Athletics have not committed to a pitcher.

Players to watch:

Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes, though not scheduled to pitch Monday, has been Pittsburgh’s most consistent starter. Over his last five outings, Skenes has posted a 3.33 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 27 innings, but the Pirates have lost each of those starts, including Sunday when he allowed two earned runs over six innings with 10 strikeouts.

Athletics catcher Tyler Soderstrom has been productive at the plate. Over his last 10 games, he has hit .300 with three home runs and nine RBIs. In Sunday’s loss, he went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs.

Monday’s game features a matchup of teams in the middle of the pack. Pittsburgh has struggled offensively, scoring three runs or fewer in six of its last seven games. The Athletics have shown more pop, averaging nearly six runs per game over their last 10.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-3 Athletics victory. The Athletics are listed as a -1.5 favorite, and the over/under is set at 10 total runs.

The Pirates will send Jones or Ginn to the mound in an attempt to snap a two-game skid. The Athletics look to build on a series win against Colorado, despite Sunday’s blowout loss.

Following this series, Pittsburgh hosts Colorado and Seattle. The Athletics welcome the Los Angeles Angels before a road trip to San Francisco.