Scott Kazmir (15-9, 3.55 ERA) and Ross Detwiler (2-3, 4.00 ERA) start in the third of a four-game series between the Oakland Athletics (1-1) and the Texas Rangers (1-1) at O.C. Coliseum. The Rangers won the last game 3-1 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 10:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Apr. 8 and can be seen on FSN-SW and CSN-CA.
Kazmir is 9-5 with a 3.32 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts against the Rangers. Sam Fuld (.500 ) had a good game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. Against the Athletics, Detwiler is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and two strikeouts. Prince Fielder (.286 ) has been successful at the plate to the start the season for the Rangers, going 2 for 3 yesterday with two RBIs.
Oakland is a -154 favorite against Texas and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Athletics have an overall money line of -58 and a record as the favorite of 1-1. The Athletics have no trouble scoring as they rank fifth in the AL in offense with 4.5 runs per game. The Athletics are one of the best in the AL in terms of hits with an impressive 8.0 per game. Oakland is one of the best in the AL in terms of walks, earning an average of 3.5 per game. As for the pitchers, the Athletics are the second-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 0.56 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Texas has a 1-1 record and an overall money line of +48. Texas is excellent at not striking out with just 5.5 per game, ranking fifth in the AL.
Predictions: SU Winner – OAK, O/U – Over
Notes
Oakland is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland’s last 6 games at home.
Oakland is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games at home.
Oakland is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Texas.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland’s last 5 games when playing at home against Texas.
Oakland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Texas.
The Athletics and the Rangers square off with both holding split records of 1-1 against AL West teams.
The Athletics are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded six strikeouts. The Rangers have a record of 1-1 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When outhit, the Athletics and the Rangers both have records of 0-1.
Texas ranks in the bottom half of the league at 19th when it comes to home runs, hitting zero this season. Oakland ranks in the top five at fifth with two.
Ranking 11th, Texas is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 4.50 per game. Oakland ranks in the top five at fourth with 8.00.
Ranking 25th, Texas is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.370). Oakland ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .744.
