The Texas Rangers are traveling west to Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum to square off against their AL West rival Oakland Athletics. NBC Sports – California is in line to televise the action. The opening pitch is scheduled for 10:05 p.m. ET.
Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics Odds
Texas (+165) is entering this game as the underdog against Oakland (-175) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this one at nine runs (+100 for the over and -120 for the under). The game’s current runline odds sit at -135 for betting the Rangers +1.5 runs and +115 for the Athletics -1.5.
The Rangers are 61-79 SU and are 69-71 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle a whole lot this year, losing 2.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.7 units ATS. Texas is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Athletics, on the other hand, are 84-57 SU and 75-66 ATS. The team has gained 32.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 8.3 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in five of those seven.
Oakland games have a 64-68-9 over/under record in 2018. Texas has an over/under record of 65-65-10.
Yovani Gallardo will get the nod for Texas. The right-handed Gallardo (8-3, 5.97 ERA) has racked up 43 strikeouts in 72.1 innings so far. He has yet to face Oakland this year, but he did make four starts against the Athletics in 2017, putting together a 2-0 record against them with a 3.33 ERA and 21 strikeouts.
The Athletics will put the ball in the right hand of Chris Bassitt (2-3, 3.19 ERA), who has 28 strikeouts and 15 walks as well as a 1.34 WHIP. Bassitt did not record any MLB pitching stats last season.
Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 5.45 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 6.30 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.22, along with a WHIP of 1.45.
Rangers hitters have slashed .244/.326/.412 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.2 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Texas’ offense has been powered by Shin-soo Choo and Jurickson Profar, who have combined to drive in 130 runs. Choo is hitting .273/.383/.459 with 21 home runs, 61 RBIs and 78 runs scored. Profar is hitting .256 with 15 homers, 69 RBIs and 72 runs scored.
For the home team, Oakland’s pitching staff has yielded 4.1 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have an ERA of 4.13, a WHIP of 1.23 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.5. The bullpen has a 3.28 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.1 K/9. In 64 divisional games, Athletics starters have an ERA of 5.17 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.59.
Oakland’s offense has produced 4.8 runs per contest, including 4.6 per game against divisional foes and 6.0 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .238/.326/.431 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Shortstop Marcus Semien and second baseman Jed Lowrie have led the Athletics’ offense this year. Semien is hitting .259/.322/.383 with 11 home runs, 53 RBIs, 80 runs and 14 steals, while Lowrie’s line sits at .275/.359/.467 with 21 homers, 87 RBIs and 65 runs.
The Rangers have gained 2.0 units and are 48-45 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 41 of those games, compared to 47 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Athletics have netted 28.0 units and are 47-42 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 43 of those games, compared to 42 that went under.
Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – OVER
