The Texas Rangers are prepared to battle against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park. NBC Sports – California will broadcast the action and the opening pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET.
Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers Odds
Oakland (-130) is favored over Texas (+120) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this night game at 10 runs. The odds for betting on the games total sit at -110 for both the over and the under. Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the most recent runline odds standing at Athletics -1.5 runs (+115) and Rangers +1.5 runs (-135).
The Rangers are 26-37 SU and 26-36 ATS. They’ve lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors and 16.1 units against the spread (ATS). Texas has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Athletics are 31-30 SU and have gone 29-31 ATS. In total, the teams accumulated 3.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline, but have lost 3.7 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven.
Neither team has positioned itself as a strong over/under bet this season. Texas games have an over/under record of 28-29-5 thus far in 2018. The Athletics have an over/under record of 27-29-4.
Daniel Mengden will get the nod for the Athletics. The right-handed Mengden is 6-4 with a 2.91 ERA and 48 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with two strikeouts and a 5.06 ERA against Texas this year.
The Rangers will put the ball in the right hand of Bartolo Colon (2-3, 4.21 ERA), who’s got 44 strikeouts and eight walks as well as a 1.03 WHIP. Colon is 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA in one start against Oakland this year.
As a unit, Texas pitching staff has allowed 5.2 runs per game overall in 2018. The clubs starters have an ERA of 5.37, a WHIP of 1.45 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.0. The bullpen has a 3.71 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 8.2 K/9. In 33 games against divisional foes, Rangers starters have an ERA of 4.83 and the bullpens ERA is 4.01.
The Texas hitters are putting up 4.2 runs per outing, including 3.4 per game against divisional foes and 2.4 per game over their last five. The team has hit .206/.298/.381 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Rangers batters have been led by Nomar Mazara and Shin-soo Choo. Mazara is slashing .269/.340/.504 with 14 home runs, 39 RBIs and 35 runs scored, and Choo is hitting .266 with 10 homers, 26 RBIs and 36 runs scored.
For the visitors, Oakland’s pitching staff allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.14 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 6.80 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.61, along with a K-per-9 of 8.38.
The Athletics offense has slashed .241/.314/.412 on its way to 4.5 runs scored per game this year, including 3.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 7.2 per game over the teams last five outings (3-2 SU).
Oakland’s offensive production been powered by second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien. Lowrie is slashing .294/.358/.479 with nine home runs, 42 RBIs and 24 runs scored, while Semien (.257/.310/.369) has produced five homers, 24 RBIs and 36 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 5.7 units and are 19-21 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 20 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Rangers have lost 0.1 units and are 18-24 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 18 of those games, compared to 22 that went under the total.
Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Athletics have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
- Oakland has posted 19.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 27.2 over its last five.
