The Oakland Athletics (20-9) own the best record in the American League, and will look to hand the Texas Rangers (10-17) their ninth consecutive loss. First pitch for the opener of this four-game series is set for 8:05 p.m. ET Monday at Globe Life Field. We analyze the Athletics-Rangers MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Athletics at Rangers: Projected starting pitchers
LHP Jesus Luzardo vs. RHP Lance Lynn
Luzardo bounced back from a rough outing and whiffed a season-high seven batters in last Wednesday’s start. He carries a 3.67 ERA into this game, with 27 strikeouts in 27 innings.
- He tossed five shutout innings against the Rangers a few weeks ago, allowing two hits and two walks to go along with five punch outs.
- The sample is still very small, but Luzardo has a 1.82 career ERA at home (24 2/3 innings), and a 5.02 mark on the road (14 1/3). He has allowed just one home run in his home park over 23 2/3 innings.
Lynn has been one of the top pitchers in the league so far in 2020. While a .174 BABIP has certainly helped, he boasts a 1.37 ERA through six starts, and has yet to allow more than two earned runs in a game.
- He is a true workhorse, as his streak of throwing more than 100 pitches has now reached 30 starts.
- Lynn has made 19 home starts since joining the Rangers prior to last season. In those games, he owns a 3.15 ERA, 9.8 K/9, and 0.6 HR/9.
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Athletics at Rangers: Key injuries
Get the latest injury news here.
Athletics
- RP Burch Smith (forearm) out
Rangers
- SS Elvis Andrus (back) out
- OF Willie Calhoun (hamstring) out
- C Robinson Chirinos (ankle) out
- OF Shin-Soo Choo (calf) questionable
- RP Jose LeClerc (shoulder) out
- RP Brett Martin (shoulder) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Athletics at Rangers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:48 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Rangers 4, Athletics 3
Moneyline (ML)
This sets up as a pitchers’ duel, as both starters are displaying strong skills. Lynn has been dominant in the early going, but as usual, he isn’t likely to get a lot of help from his offense. The Rangers rank in the bottom five in both wRC+ and on-base-percentage vs left-handed pitching.
This one should be close throughout, but Lynn has been the better pitcher, and is an underdog at home. Therefore, siding with the RANGERS +135 vs. the A’s (-150) is the play here.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Neither offense is likely to have a big day. The Rangers rank dead last in runs per game on the season. Oakland is tied for 10th in the category at 4.97 runs per game, but Lynn held the A’s to one run in 6 1/3 innings earlier this month, and should have similar success Monday evening.
Oakland came out on top 5-1 when these two pitchers squared off Aug. 4, thanks to a late inning bullpen blowup. Look for a closer contest this time, and take the RANGERS +1.5 (-134) vs. the A’s -1.5 (+110).
Over/Under (O/U)
The line is very low at 7.5, but for good reason. Both offenses are unlikely to get a lot going against these excellent starting pitchers. UNDER 7.5 (-121) looks like the side to be on.
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