The Oakland Athletics (50-39) and Texas Rangers (34-53) open a three-game series Friday at 8:10 p.m. ET at Globe Life Field. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Athletics vs. Rangers odds with MLB picks and predictions.
LHP Cole Irvin is the projected starting pitcher for the Athletics. Irvin is 6-7 with a 3.56 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 6.5 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9 in 101 IP over 17 starts.
Irvin has allowed just 2 ER over his last 15 IP overall and owns a 2.55 ERA on the road.
RHP Jordan Lyles is the projected starting pitcher for the Rangers. In 17 games (16 starts), Lyles is 4-5 with a 4.98 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 7.3 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 90 1/3 IP.
Lyles owns a 3.00 ERA over his last 3 home starts. He logged six strong innings of relief against Oakland June 22, and current Athletics batters own a .558 OPS against him. The Texas righty has gone six innings-plus in 7 of his last 9 outings.
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Athletics at Rangers odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:40 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Athletics -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Rangers +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread/ATS: Athletics -1.5 (+115) | Rangers +1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under: 9 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Prediction
Rangers 5, Athletics 4
Money line (ML)
No team has a worse OPS the last two weeks than Oakland’s .602 mark. The Rangers have scored 5.0 RPG with a .761 OPS over their last 23 games (.844 OPS last 10 games at home).
Peg Irvin as being out too far over his skis with his 3.56 ERA. And he throws a lot of fastballs, which cuts into a relative strength for the Rangers. Also figure on some fade to the Oakland bullpen and a swing the opposite way on the Texas relief corps.
The Athletics dropped two of three at Texas last month and are just 5-9 over their last 14 road tilts.
BACK THE RANGERS (+115) on a play with strong conviction and a good price.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The Texas run-line play is worth a look at a better price. A -135 tag would make for value in perhaps combining some ATS action with a money line wager.
Over/Under (O/U)
STEER CLEAR of what looks to be a well-made line.
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