The Oakland Athletics are playing host to their AL West nemesis Texas Rangers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The action starts at 3:35 p.m. ET and fans can watch the game on FB.
Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics Odds
Oakland (-170) is hosting this one as the favorite against Texas (+160) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 9 runs (-115 for the over and -105 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at -135 for the Rangers +1.5 runs and +115 for the Athletics -1.5 runs.
The Athletics are 76-50 straight up (SU) and 64-61 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 30.8 units for moneyline bettors and 1.1 units (ATS). Oakland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in three of those seven. The Rangers have gone 56-72 SU this year and are 64-63 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 0.5 units for moneyline bettors and 1.6 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Oakland games have an over/under record of 56-60-9 in 2018. Texas has an over/under record of 59-58-10.
Southpaw Mike Minor will get the nod for the visiting Rangers. Minor (9-6, 4.61 ERA) has racked up 100 punchouts in 123 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with five strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA against Oakland this year.
The Athletics are turning to righty Edwin Jackson (4-2, 2.58 ERA), who has 43 strikeouts and 19 walks as well as a 1.06 WHIP. Jackson is 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 10.38 ERA in one start against Texas this year.
As a unit, Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.1 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.03, a WHIP of 1.20 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.6. The bullpen has a 3.35 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 9.1 K/9. In 56 divisional games, Athletics starters have an ERA of 4.95 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.69.
Oakland’s hitters have put up 4.8 runs per contest, including 4.6 per game against divisional foes and 6.0 per game over their last five. The team has hit .298/.356/.545 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
Shortstop Marcus Semien and second baseman Jed Lowrie have led the charge for the Athletics’ hitters this year. Semien is hitting .266/.325/.392 with 10 home runs, 46 RBIs, 74 runs and 13 stolen bases, while Lowrie is batting .272 with 19 homers, 77 RBIs and 55 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.48 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 6.29 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.19, along with a K/9 of 8.20.
The Rangers offense has slashed .244/.327/.412 on its way to 4.8 runs scored per game this year, including 4.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Texas’ hitters have been paced by Shin-soo Choo and Jurickson Profar, who have combined to swat 34 home runs. Choo is slashing .283/.394/.478 with 20 home runs, 57 RBIs and 71 runs scored, while Profar is hitting .249/.333/.452 with 14 homers, 65 RBIs and 65 runs scored.
The Rangers have gained 1.3 units and are 45-42 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 37 of those games, compared to 45 that’ve gone under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Athletics have netted 8.7 units and are 24-21 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 18 of those games, as opposed to 22 that’ve gone under.
Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Texas has logged nine extra-base hits over its last five games. Oakland has 26 XBH over its last five.
- The Rangers have hit six home runs in their last 10 games. The Athletics have hit 15 over their last 10.
- Oakland has recorded 26.3 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 outings and 27.2 over its last five.
- The Rangers have lost three of their last four games SU while the Athletics have won four of their last five.
