Yovani Gallardo (12-9, 3.16 ERA) and Sean Nolin (0-1, 4.50 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers (74-66) and the Oakland Athletics (60-81) at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers won the last game 4-0 and Texas leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 8:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sep. 12 and can be seen on CSCA and FSSW.
Gallardo pitched 5.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs, striking out four and walking two in a 3-0 win over the Mariners. Mitch Moreland (.289, 43 Rs, 19 HRs, 71 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and two RBIs. Nolin went 6.0 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out one and walking three in a 3-2 defeat to the Mariners in his last outing. Ben Zobrist (.287, 67 Rs, 12 HRs, 51 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Athletics, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Texas is a -166 favorite against Oakland and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at nine runs. The Rangers have an overall money line of +2,339 and a record as the favorite of 17-13. Within its division, Texas has a 5-5 record as favorite and a 23-33 record SU. The Rangers have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 2.8 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.3 runs per game. Texas’s pitchers fall apart when division rivals are on the field. Its average runs allowed per game rises to 5.1 against fellow AL West members, compared to its 4.6 season average.
In the other locker room, Oakland is coming in with an overall money line of -2,741 and a disappointing record of 27-44 as the underdog. They are 11-16 as the underdog against fellow AL West members, and 28-33 SU. Offensively, the Athletics have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.2 runs per game by averaging 5.6 during that stretch. The Athletics are tough outs for opponents, ranking fifth in the AL with 8.8 hits per game. Oakland is excellent at drawing walks with 2.9 per road game, ranking fourth in the AL. The Athletics allow 4.2 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 6.6 runs per game during that span.
The Athletics lead the season series, 9-5. The Rangers have a 24-26 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Nolin takes the mound. Gallardo (RHP) will be on the hill against the Athletics, who have a 47-52 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tex, O/U – Over
Notes
Texas won its last game in a shutout, its ninth of the season. Oakland has been shut out eight times this season.
The Rangers are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Athletics have a 1-8 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 9-52. The Rangers have an 18-50 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 23rd in home runs, Oakland has hit 119 this season. Texas ranks 13th with 141 home runs.
Ranking ninth, Texas is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.57 per game. Oakland ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.75.
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 14th with an OPS of .723.
When the Athletics allow at least one home run, they are 22-60. When the Rangers allow one or more homers, they have a 36-50 record.
