Free MLB Picks Today: Oakland Athletics vs Texas Rangers 5/14/23

Hot-hitting Nathaniel Lowe will be looking to extend his 12-game hitting streak as the Texas Rangers (24-15) match up against the Oakland Athletics (9-32) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Sunday with the home team eyeing a split of the four-game series.

The Rangers lead the series 2-1 after winning 5-0 on Saturday, their fourth head-to-head victory in six games this season. Starter Jon Gray threw eight scoreless innings for the win.

Lowe was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Josh Smith added a double and one run. Jace Peterson went 1 for 2 with a walk for the Athletics. Carlos Perez went 1 for 1.

ON THE MOUND

Andrew Heaney (2-3, 5.25 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Texas. The LHP allowed four runs (three earned) over 6.2 innings in his last start, a 5-0 road defeat against the Mariners on Tuesday. He took the loss, scattering four hits while striking out seven and walking two.

Heaney has made one previous start against the Athletics this season, an 18-3 home victory on April 22. He surrendered two runs on five hits over six innings, striking out four and walking two. For Oakland, left-hander JP Sears (0-3, 5.54 ERA) gets the start.

He has made one prior start against the Rangers this season, giving up four runs over six innings in a 5-4 road win on April 21. He gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out 11 in the no-decision.

In his last start on Monday, Sears took the loss on the road against the Yankees. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up five runs on six hits, striking out four, in the 7-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Texas has averaged only 4.0 runs a game, down from their season average of 6.2, partially due to weaker slugging (.433 vs .442).

Against southpaws like Sears this season, the Rangers have ann .808 OPS, fourth highest in MLB. Josh Jung is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a 1.125 OPS in 37 at-bats.

Oakland is averaging only 3.4 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 3.8 for the season. The A’s have a .766 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a 1.247 OPS over 36 at-bats, Brent Rooker has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Texas is 12-9 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.9 runs per game while allowing 3.9 runs. Oakland has gone 4-17 at their home park this season, averaging 3.1 runs per game while surrendering 6.6. In the last 10 games at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum between the AL West rivals, Texas is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 6.0-4.1.