Free MLB Picks Today: Oakland Athletics vs Texas Rangers 5/12/23

Hot-hitting Nathaniel Lowe will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the Texas Rangers (23-14) match up against the Oakland Athletics (8-31) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Friday. The Rangers took Thursday’s series opener 4-0, their third head-to-head victory in four games this season.

Starter Nathan Eovaldi threw 8.2 scoreless innings – striking out 12 – to get the win, and Will Smith pitched 0.1 scoreless innings to pick up his seventh save. Marcus Semien was 1 for 4 with a solo home run in the win, stretching his on-base streak to 10 games. Esteury Ruiz went 2 for 4 with a double for the Athletics.

ON THE MOUND

Martin Perez (4-1, 3.86 ERA) is set to start for Texas. The southpaw allowed seven runs over 3.2 innings in his last start, a 16-8 road win over the Angels on Sunday. He gave up eight hits while striking out two and walking three in the no-decision.

Perez is making his first appearance against the Athletics this season. Over three starts against the Athletics in 2022, Perez was 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA over 20 innings. He had 17 strikeouts and six walks.For Oakland, left-hander Ken Waldichuk (1-2, 7.25 ERA) will toe the rubber.

It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rangers. Waldichuk made one start against the Rangers in 2022, throwing five innings in an 8-7 road defeat on September 13. He gave up eight hits and walked one, while striking out six in the no-decision.

In his last start on Saturday, Waldichuk got the win on the road against the Royals. He threw five innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out six and walking six in the 5-4 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Texas has averaged only 5.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 6.2, while slashing worse across the board (.264/.295/.412).

Against southpaws like Waldichuk this season, the Rangers have an .800 OPS, fifth highest in MLB. Josh Jung is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a 1.166 OPS in 34 at-bats.

Oakland is averaging only 2.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 3.8 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.211/.280/.361). The A’s have a .720 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a 1.233 OPS over 33 at-bats, Jesus Aguilar has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Texas is 11-8 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.8 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. Oakland has lost four in a row at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

The A’s are 3-16 at home this season, averaging 2.9 runs per game while surrendering 6.7. In the last 10 games between the AL West rivals at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Texas is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.0-3.4.