The Oakland Athletics will be taking on their divisional rival Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California will televise the matchup.
Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Oakland (-130) as the favorite over Texas (+120). The total sits at 11.5 runs and bettors can take the over for +105 or the under for -125. The game’s most recent runline odds sit at +115 for taking the Athletics -1.5 runs and -135 for the Rangers +1.5 runs.
The Rangers are 42-61 straight up (SU) and 47-55 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 9.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 12.2 units (ATS). Texas has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven. The Athletics have gone 60-43 SU this year and are 53-49 ATS. Overall, the team’s gained 21.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 3.3 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 an over/under record of 46-49-7 in 2018. Oakland has an over/under record of 50-45-7.
Right-hander Trevor Cahill will get the start for the visiting Athletics. Cahill (1-2, 2.95 ERA) has recorded 55 strikeouts in 58 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with six strikeouts and a 5.40 ERA against Texas this year.
The Rangers will put the ball in the right hand of Bartolo Colon (5-8, 4.85 ERA, 1.24 WHIP), who has 64 strikeouts and 18 walks this season. Colon is 1-0 with five strikeouts and a 2.45 ERA over two starts against Oakland this year.
Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 4.35 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 6.49 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.54, along with a K/9 of 8.87.
Athletics hitters have slashed .248/.322/.429 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game this year, including 4.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 8.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (5-0 SU).
Second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien continue to lead Oakland’s hitters. Lowrie is slashing .282/.363/.487 with 17 home runs, 65 RBIs and 47 runs scored, while Semien has a .254 average with seven homers, 38 RBIs, 57 runs and 10 stolen bases.
For the home team, Texas’ pitching staff has yielded 5.3 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 5.35, a WHIP of 1.45 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.6. The bullpen has a 4.18 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 8.2 K/9. In 43 games against AL West opponents, Rangers starters have an ERA of 5.18 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.71.
Texas’ offense has put up 4.4 runs per outing, including 3.7 per game against divisional foes and 5.2 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .241/.308/.434 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
The Rangers’ hitters have been led by Shin-soo Choo and Nomar Mazara. Choo is slashing .284/.398/.484 with 18 home runs, 44 RBIs and 57 runs scored, and Mazara’s line is .272/.332/.450 with 15 homers, 58 RBIs and 46 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 19.2 units and are 34-33 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 33 of those games, as opposed to 31 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Rangers have lost 7.3 units and are 32-38 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 29 of those games, compared to 37 that went under the total.
Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
