The Texas Rangers (22-14) take their MLB-best offense on the road to face the Oakland Athletics (8-30) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Thursday for the opener of a four-game series.
The Rangers are kicking off the final series of their 10-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Mariners, taking the finale 4-3 on Wednesday at T-Mobile Park. Marcus Semien was 2 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs.
The Athletics are playing the first of seven games at home after concluding a tough six-game road trip (2-4). They were just swept in three games against the Yankees, dropping the finale 11-3 on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium for their fourth straight loss. JJ Bleday went 2 for 5 with a solo home run and a double. Jace Peterson added a solo home run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Rangers have won two of three in the season series between the AL West rivals, including a 5-2 victory in their most recent meeting on April 23 at Globe Life Field.
Jacob deGrom got the win, allowing two runs (1 ER) on three hits over six innings and striking out 11, and Will Smith earned his second save with a scoreless ninth.
ON THE MOUND
Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 3.22 ERA) is set to take the mound for Texas. The RHP is tied for fifth in the AL in wins. Eovaldi threw eight scoreless innings in his last start, a 10-1 road win over the Angels on Saturday.
He was credited with the win, yielding five hits while striking out five and walking two. Eovaldi is making his first appearance against the Athletics this season.
Eovaldi made one start against the Athletics in 2022, a 7-2 road victory for the Red Sox on June 3. He allowed four hits over six scoreless innings, striking out eight and walking one.
AT THE PLATE
The Texas offense is averaging 6.3 runs per game for the season, best in the league, with a slash line of .264/.338/.440. Jonah Heim leads the team in OPS at .943. The catcher is slashing .321/.387/.557 with six home runs, 28 RBIs, and 22 runs over 31 games.
Oakland is slashing .233/.313/.378 for the season and averaging 3.9 runs per game, fourth lowest in MLB. Brent Rooker leads the team with a 1.087 OPS.
The left fielder has 10 home runs, 26 RBIs, and 18 runs scored with a slash line of .313/.431/.657. The A’s have a .680 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.041 OPS over 68 at-bats, Rooker also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Texas is 10-8 away from Globe Life Field in 2023, scoring 5.9 runs per game while allowing 4.0 runs. Oakland has lost three in a row at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
The A’s are 3-15 at home this season, averaging 3.1 runs per game while surrendering 6.8. Texas is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum with an average scoreline of 5.4-3.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rangers lead the AL West by two games over the Angels. The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 14 games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Texas Rangers (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
