The Oakland Athletics (42-75) and Texas Rangers (52-64) have split the first 2 games of their 4-game series and will do battle again Wednesday. First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. ET at Globe Life Field. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Athletics vs. Rangers odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Rangers lead 9-6
Oakland came out on top 5-1 in Tuesday’s contest, putting a halt to a 9-game losing skid in which it was outscored 47-21.
Texas is 3-2 on its current homestand but is just 26-33 on the season at home.
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Athletics at Rangers projected starters
RHP Adam Oller vs. LHP Cole Ragans
Oller (1-5, 7.26 ERA) makes his 15th appearance (10th start). He has a 1.78 WHIP, 5.0 BB/9 and 5.8 K/9 through 48 1/3 IP.
- Has made 5 starts since rejoining the rotation with a 5.68 ERA and 16/9 K/BB through 25 1/3 IP over that span.
- His 1.7% K-BB% ranks 2nd worst in the majors among all pitchers with 45 IP.
Ragans (0-1, 4.82 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.71 WHIP, 6.8 BB/9 and 3.9K/9 through 9 1/3 IP.
- Didn’t allow any earned runs in 5 IP vs. the White Sox in his lone home start but has walked more batters than he has struck out in both outings to date.
- Recorded a 3.04 ERA along with a 2.9 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 through 94 2/3 IP across 18 minor league starts this season (10 in AA, 8 in AAA).
Athletics at Rangers odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Athletics +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Rangers -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Athletics +1.5 (-145) | Rangers -1.5 (+120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
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Athletics at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 6, Athletics 4
Money line
Oakland has the 2nd worst record in the league along with the 5th worst run differential (-133). Oller hasn’t really shown any positive signs, and his horrendous ERA is fully supported by lousy skills, resulting in his xERA, FIP, and xFIP all sitting above 6.00.
Laying this much on Ragans is tough but he’s the better pitcher, the Rangers are the better team and they are at home. A small play on RANGERS (-170) is the call here.
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Run line/Against the spread
The Oakland offense has really been scuffling and Oller should provide the Texas bats plenty of opportunities to put runs on the board. Look for the home team to win by more than a run, and maybe even blow it wide open. Back the Rangers -1.5 (+120).
Over/Under
Oller has displayed some awful skills and while Ragans put up some solid minor league numbers, his 4/7 K/BB across 2 big league starts shows he has plenty of work to do. The Under has hit in the first 2 games of this series but we should see more offensive fireworks in Arlington this evening. Take OVER 8.5 (-130).
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