Chi Chi Gonzalez (2-5, 4.25 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (74-67) meet Felix Doubront (3-1, 4.22 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (61-81) in the last of a three-game division series at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Athletics won the last game 5-3 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sep. 13 and will air on CSCA and FSSW.
In his most recent outing, Gonzalez pitched 6.0 innings, giving up three runs, striking out seven and walking one in a 3-2 loss to the Mariners. Mitch Moreland (.289, 43 Rs, 19 HRs, 71 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and two RBIs. The Athletics were victorious the last time Doubront pitched. He did not do well, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing four runs, striking out three and walking one in a 10-9 victory over the Astros. Ben Zobrist (.288, 69 Rs, 12 HRs, 51 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Athletics, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run.
Texas is a -155 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is nine runs. The Rangers are 18-13 as the favorite and have an overall money line of +2,439. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (3-1). Texas has averaged 3.2 runs per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 4.3.
Switching gears, the Athletics come into this game with a weak win percentage of .375 when playing as the underdog (27-45) and an overall money line of -2,841. They have played poorly as the underdog as of late. They managed a 1-5 record when playing as the underdog and an SU record of 3-7. When it comes to scoring runs, the Athletics have performed much better than normal against teams from the AL West. During those games, they averaged four runs per game, above their 4.2 season average. The Athletics average just 6.7 strikeouts per game, one of the lowest marks in the AL. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the Oakland pitchers. They allowed 6.6 runs per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 4.2.
The Athletics have mostly come out on top against the Rangers in their previous 15 games this season, earning a 10-5 record. This game will feature Doubront (LHP) on the mound against the Rangers, who have a 24-26 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The right-handed Gonzalez will take the mound against the Athletics, who have a 47-53 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tex, O/U – Over
Notes
Texas recorded at least two errors for the 21st time this season.
The Texas batters brought in a solid nine hits last game. Oakland has a record of 13-48 when their opponents get that many hits or more.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 9-52. The Rangers have an 18-51 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 22nd in home runs, Oakland has hit 121 this season. Texas ranks 13th with 142 home runs.
Texas and Oakland both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Texas sits at ninth with 8.56 hits per game and Oakland ranks sixth with 8.70.
Ranking 23rd, Oakland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.705). Texas ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .724.
The Athletics are 23-60 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Rangers are 36-51 when they allow at least one homer.
