The Texas Rangers will square off against their division rival Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. NBC Sports – California is in line to broadcast the action and the game will get underway at 12:35 p.m. ET.
Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics Odds
Vegas has listed Texas (-175) as the favorite over Oakland (+155). The total sits at 9.5 runs and bettors can take the over for -105 or the under for -115. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at Rangers +1.5 runs (+120) and Athletics -1.5 runs (-130).
The Rangers are 2-5 SU and have gone 2-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 1.1 units for moneyline bettors in this young season and 2.8 units ATS. The Athletics are 3-4 SU and 3-3 ATS. The team’s lost 2.4 units for moneyline bettors and 0.6 units ATS.
Oakland games have had an over/under record of 3-3 so far in 2018. Texas has an over/under record of 2-4.
The Rangers have lost 2.7 units and are 1-4 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in two of those games, compared to three that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Athletics have lost 2.5 units and are 1-1 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in zero of those games, as opposed to two which went under the total.
Martin Perez will get the start for Texas. The left-handed Perez started 32 games last year and finished the season 13-12 overall with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. He made four starts against Oakland in 2017 and put together a 2-2 record against the Athletics with a 5.49 ERA and 12 strikeouts.
The Athletics have tabbed righty Daniel Mengden (0-1, 7.94 ERA) as their starter. Mengden started 7 games last year and finished the season 3-2 overall with a 3.14 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP.
As a unit, Oakland’s pitchers have given up 4.1 runs per game overall in 2018. The team’s starters have an ERA of 4.69, a WHIP of 1.14 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 5.6. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.19, a WHIP of 1.22 and a K/9 of 5.5. In seven divisional games, Athletics starters have an ERA of 4.69 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.19.
The Oakland hitters are putting up 3.4 runs per contest, including 3.4 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .242/.337/.366 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Athletics’ offense has been led by Matt Chapman and Khris Davis. Chapman is slashing .385/.448/.654 with 10 hits, five RBIs and four runs scored, and the line for Davis stands at .250/.379/.458 with six hits, four RBIs and three runs scored.
Compared to his total season slash line of .234/.313/.472, Chapman performed well at home last season, slashing .284/.352/.541 over 165 plate appearances.
In the visiting dugout, Texas’ pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 3.71 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 10.85 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.00, along with a WHIP of 1.53 and a K/9 of 9.33.
Rangers hitters have slashed .209/.275/.327 on their way to 2.6 runs scored per game in 2018, including over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Shortstop Elvis Andrus and outfielder Nomar Mazara have led Texas’ hitters. Andrus is hitting .346/.414/.538 with nine hits, two RBIs and four runs scored, while Mazara is hitting .333 with eight hits, two RBIs and five runs scored.
Mazara didn’t perform especially well on the road last year. Over 301 plate appearances, he put up a slash line of .206/.276/.360 (compared to his total season line of .253/.323/.422).
Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Notes
The Athletics went 11-8 SU against the Rangers last season.
The Athletics’ bullpen recorded an ERA of 4.01 against the Rangers last year.
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