Wandy Rodriguez (4-2, 3.20 ERA) and Kendall Graveman (3-4, 4.02 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers (37-34) and the Oakland Athletics (32-41) at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Athletics won the last game 8-6 and Oakland leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 8:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jun. 24 and can be seen on CSN-CA and FSN-SW.
Rodriguez pitched 5.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out one and walking two in a 5-3 win over the Dodgers. Prince Fielder (.338, 35 Rs, 11 HRs, 47 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. Against the Rangers, Graveman is 0-1 with an 18.90 ERA, 2.40 WHIP, and one strike out. Stephen Vogt (.294, 34 Rs, 13 HRs, 51 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run.
Texas is a -121 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 +1,701 and a record as the favorite of 5-4. Texas has had a discouraging season against division opponents, earning records of 1-2 and 11-17 as the favorite and SU respectively. The Rangers have seen a decline in scoring against teams inside their division, averaging 3.7 runs per game. They average 4.4 runs per game on the season. Texas’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 2.7 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.2.
Over in the other dugout, Oakland is coming in with an overall money line of -1,725 and a disappointing record of 11-17 as the underdog. They have played poorly as the underdog with a 5-9 record against AL West rivals, and a 6-4 record SU. Offensively, they average four runs per game on the road, which is fifth in the AL. The Athletics are tough outs for opponents, ranking fourth in the AL with 9.0 hits per game. Oakland is excellent at drawing walks with 3.2 per game, ranking fifth in the AL. The Athletics have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 7.7 strikeouts per road game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Athletics lead the season series, 7-4. The Rangers have a 24-19 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Graveman takes the mound. Rodriguez (LHP) will be on the hill against the Athletics, who have a poor 0-7 record on the road against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – OAK, O/U – Over
Notes
Oakland has won 36% (13-23) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Texas has won 43% (13-17) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rangers are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Athletics have a 13-16 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
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 three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 24-10. The Rangers have a 27-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking sixth, Texas is in the top 10 of the league in runs, scoring 313 this season. Oakland ranks in the top five at third with 327.
Ranking ninth, Texas is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 218 this season. Oakland ranks in the top five at fifth with 230.
When the Rangers hit at least one home run, they are 27-15. When the Athletics hit at least one homer, they have a 21-20 record.
