The Oakland Athletics will be taking on their divisional rival Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park. NBC Sports – California will showcase the matchup and the game is scheduled to get underway at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Texas (+105) as the underdog to Oakland (-115). Gamblers are able to bet on the game’s total with odds sitting at -110 for over 9.5 runs and -110 for under 9.5. You can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds sitting at Athletics -1.5 runs (+130) and Rangers 1.5 runs (-150).
The Rangers are only 8-16 SU and 9-14 ATS. The team’s lost 2.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 8.4 units against the spread (ATS). Texas has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Athletics are 12-11 SU and have gone 10-12 ATS. Overall, the team’s gained 0.1 units for moneyline bettors in this young season, but have lost 4.0 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Rangers games have had an over/under record of 11-11-1 so far in 2018. Oakland has an over/under record of 12-9-1.
Right-hander Andrew Triggs is the projected starter for Oakland. Triggs is 1-0 with a 5.82 ERA and 17 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with seven strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA against Texas this year.
The Rangers are going with lefty Cole Hamels (1-3, 4.76 ERA), who has 34 strikeouts and 11 walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.45. Hamels is 1-0 with 11 strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA over one starts against Oakland this year.
Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.8 runs per game and its starters own a 4.73 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 7.38 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.78, along with a K/9 of 7.34.
The Athletics offense has slashed .274/.354/.452 on its way to 5.3 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Oakland’s hitters have been led by second baseman Jed Lowrie and third baseman Matt Chapman, who collectively have swatted 11 home runs. Lowrie is slashing .357/.411/.612 with six home runs, 23 RBIs and 13 runs scored, while Chapman (.282/.384/.553) is up to five homers, 14 RBIs and 18 runs scored.
Lowrie seemed to take a step back when hitting lefties on the road last season. Across 73 such plate appearances, he maintained a slash line of .203/.301/.359 (his total season line was .277/.360/.448).
In the other dugout, Texas’ pitching staff has allowed 5.3 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have an ERA of 5.11, a WHIP of 1.51 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.8. The bullpen has a 4.60 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 8.4 K/9. In 18 games against divisional opponents, Rangers starters have an ERA of 4.74 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.56.
The Texas offense is putting up 3.7 runs per contest, including 3.4 per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .233/.328/.393 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
The Rangers’ hitters have been led by shortstop Elvis Andrus and first baseman Joey Gallo. Andrus is hitting .327/.426/.500 with 17 hits, five RBIs and seven runs scored, and Gallo’s line sits at .213/.293/.494 with seven homers, 17 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
The Athletics have lost 2.7 units and are 4-5 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in three of those games, compared to five that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Rangers have netted 0.8 units and are 8-9 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in seven of those games, compared to nine which went under the total.
Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Rangers, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Athletics have won seven of their last eight games SU.
- Oakland has posted 26.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 28.6 over its last five.
- Each team has hit 14 home runs over its last 10 games.
