In the second of a three-game series between the Oakland Athletics (64-87) and the Texas Rangers (81-69) at O.co Coliseum, Felix Doubront (3-2, 4.95 ERA) and Colby Lewis (16-8, 4.41 ERA) get the ball. The Rangers won the last game 8-6 and Texas leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 10:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sep. 23 and will air on CSCA and FSSW.
In his last start, Doubront pitched 6.0 innings, giving up three runs, striking out four and walking one in a 4-3 loss to the Astros. Danny Valencia (.291, 51 Rs, 16 HRs, 61 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run and one RBI. The Rangers were victorious the last time Lewis pitched. He had a good outing, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing two runs and striking out three in an 8-2 victory over the Astros. Mitch Moreland (.285, 48 Rs, 23 HRs, 81 RBIs, 1 SB) has been hitting the ball well for the Rangers, going 3 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
Oakland is a +114 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Athletics have a losing record of 31-49 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -2,741. They have disappointing records of 13-20 as the underdog and 30-37 SU within their division. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, ranking second in the AL with an average of only 6.9 strikeouts per game. As for the pitching staff, the Athletics rank fourth in the AL in home ERA with a 3.41 team average. The Athletics are second in the AL in hits allowed at home with just 7.9 per game.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Rangers come into this game with a win percentage of .579 when playing as the favorite (22-16) and an overall money line of +2,714. Against teams in their division, they are 30-36 SU and 10-8 as the favorite. Texas has been playing better lately, averaging 6.5 runs per game, more than their season average of 4.5.
The Athletics have gotten the best of the Rangers in head-to-head matchups this season, going 10-7. The Athletics will take on a right-hander (Lewis) in this game and have a 50-56 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Doubront will take the mound against the Rangers, who have a 28-28 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tex, O/U – Over
Notes
For the 24th time this season, the Athletics registered at least two errors in a game.
The Athletics managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rangers who are coming in with a 34-19 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 10-57. The Rangers have an 18-53 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 21st in home runs, Oakland has hit 135 this season. Texas ranks 13th with 156 home runs.
Oakland and Texas both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Oakland sits at sixth with 8.71 hits per game and Texas ranks seventh with 8.67.
Ranking 24th, Oakland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.709). Texas ranks in the top 10 at 10th with an OPS of .736.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 40-52. When the Athletics allow one or more homers, they have a 26-66 record.
