Rich Hill (5-3, 2.68 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (18-22) take on Martin Perez (1-3, 3.23 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (22-18) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the last of a three-game series at O.C. Coliseum. The Athletics won the last game 8-5, and Oakland leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 3:35 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 18 and can be seen on FSSW and MLBN.
Hill pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out seven and walking four in a 6-3 win over the Rays. Khris Davis (.228, 16 Rs, 11 HRs, 28 RBIs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 3 for 5 with three runs, three home runs, and six RBIs. Perez went 6.1 innings, surrendering two, striking out three and walking three in a 5-0 defeat to the Blue Jays in his last outing. Rougned Odor (.282, 28 Rs, 7 HRs, 21 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Rangers, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run.
The odds for Oakland and Texas are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. Within its division, Oakland has a record of 10-7 SU. The Athletics have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Oakland’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Athletics, who rank fifth in the AL in strikeouts per home game with 7.3.
The Rangers are 6-7 against AL West opponents. Offensively, the Rangers have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Rangers allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Rangers are fifth in the AL on the road with an average of 7.6 hits allowed per away game. The Rangers have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 6.8 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Athletics have the edge in the season series, 2-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – TEX
Notes
Oakland recorded at least two errors for the ninth time this season.
The Athletics are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Rangers have a 6-4 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
It looks like the Athletics have a slight leg up on the Rangers, as the Athletics have won their last three games while the Rangers have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 14-3. The Rangers have a 13-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 21st, Oakland is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 156 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 185.
Oakland and Texas both rank near the bottom of the league in walks. Oakland sits at 28th with 95 this season and Texas ranks 24th with 108.
When the Athletics hit at least one home run, they are 14-11, well-matched with the Rangers who are 16-11 when hitting one or more homers.
