What goes up usually comes down and that’s what the Rangers are experiencing, heading into the opener of a four-game AL West series with the A’s out in Oakland. How are we playing this game with our free MLB pick?
MLB Betting Odds
Thursday’s MLB betting odds opened Oakland at around -180 over Texas, with an over/under of 9.5 runs. Early betting action then dipped that line about a dime, to around -170.
Rangers vs. A’s Set-Up
Texas just dropped two of three games in Seattle, losing Wednesday’s series rubber match 5-3. Just before that, the Rangers got swept three games by Houston, and in the series prior to that, that they got swept two games by Arizona. So Texas is 0-3 over its last three series and 1-9 over the previous ten games.
At 51-51 overall the Rangers now trail the division-leading Astros by 14 games in the AL West, and they’re 6.5 games behind the Athletics in the battle for the second AL wild-card spot.
Oakland, meanwhile, just dropped two of three games in Houston, losing Wednesday’s series rubber match 4-2. But just before that the A’s split four games with Minnesota, and just before that they swept two games from the Mariners. Going back a bit further Oakland is 6-1-1 over its last eight series and 17-7 over its previous 24 games.
At 58-45 overall the A’s trail Houston by 7.5 games in the AL West but they also own the No. 2 slot in the American League wild-card standings.
Oakland leads the season series with Texas six games to three.
Thursday’s Starting Arms
Lefty Anderson, by our strict standards, is 10/20 on quality starts this season and three for his last four. Last Saturday he gave up three runs and four hits, including three solo homers, through six innings of a 5-4 A’s victory over the Twins. And over his last four starts, he’s allowed seven runs and 18 hits through 26 2/3 innings.
Oakland is 14-6 with Anderson this season, 4-0 over his last four starts.
In two starts this season against the Rangers Anderson gave up six runs – five earned – and ten hits through 12 1/3 innings. The A’s split those two games.
Jurado is just 3/11 on quality starts this year and 0 for his last three. Last Saturday he gave up five runs and eight hits through five innings of a 6-1 Texas loss to the Astros. And over his last three starts, he’s allowed 16 runs and 22 hits through 15 innings.
The Rangers are 4-7 with Jurado this season, 0-3 over his last three starts.
In two appearances against Oakland last year Jurado got nicked for nine runs and 14 hits through 6 1/3 innings.
Thursday’s Batting Splits
Texas is batting .234/.301/.422 against left-handed pitching this season. This lineup could also be without Joey Gallo (22 HR) as he deals with a sore wrist.
Oakland is batting .241/.319/.430 against right-handed pitching this season.
The Bullpens
The Rangers bullpen owns a 4.80 ERA this season and a 1.45 WHIP while allowing an .806 OPS.
The A’s pen owns a 3.86 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP while allowing a .702 OPS.
Totals Report
- Unders are 52-48 in Rangers games this season.
- Unders are 54-49 in A’s games this season.
- Unders are 27-24 in games played at Oakland Coliseum this season.
- Overs are 6-3 in Rangers-A’s games this season.
- Unders are a combined 18-13 when Anderson and Jurado start this season.
- Get more details: Rangers at A’s MLB Match-up Stats
