Free MLB Picks Today: Texas Rangers vs Oakland Athletics 4/21/23

The Texas Rangers (12-6), one of the highest-scoring lineups in the league, are set to host the Oakland Athletics (3-16) at Globe Life Field on Friday for the opener of a three-game series. The Athletics are playing their first of seven games on the road after closing out a winless six-game homestand.

They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Cubs, dropping the finale 12-2 on Wednesday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for their seventh straight loss. Jordan Diaz was 1 for 2 with a double and one RBI. The Rangers just wrapped up a successful six-game road trip (5-1).

They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Royals, taking the finale 12-3 on Wednesday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium for their fourth straight win. Leody Taveras went 3 for 5 with a triple and a double. He scored two runs and drove in two.

Jonah Heim added a home run, three runs, and three RBIs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Rangers won the 2022 season series between the AL West rivals (11-8), although they split their most recent two-game set at Globe Life Field in September.

ON THE MOUND

JP Sears (0-1, 5.59 ERA) is set to get the start for Oakland. The left-hander allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-3 road defeat against the Mets on Sunday. He scattered four hits while striking out three in the no-decision.Over two starts against the Rangers in 2022, Sears was 1-0 with a 5.00 ERA over nine innings.

He had five strikeouts and four walks. For Texas, right-hander Jon Gray (1-1, 3.21 ERA) gets the ball. Gray made two appearances against the Athletics in 2022, both as the starter, striking out 14 and walking three over 13 innings (1-0, 3.46).

In his last start on Saturday, Gray took a no-decision on the road against the Astros. He threw two innings and gave up one run on one hit, striking out two and walking one in the 8-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Oakland offense is averaging 3.4 runs per game for the season, fourth lowest in the league, with a slash line of .225/.302/.347. Ramon Laureano leads the team in OPS at .774. The right fielder is slashing .235/.304/.471 with two home runs, four RBIs, and five runs over 15 games.

Over the last five games, though, Oakland has averaged only 1.6 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.181/.264/.231). Against righties like Gray this season, the A’s have a .636 OPS, third lowest in the league. Shea Langeliers is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .927 OPS in 42 at-bats.

Texas is slashing .250/.326/.416 for the season and averaging 6.2 runs per game, second best in the league. Marcus Semien leads the team with ann .848 OPS. The left fielder has four home runs, 18 RBIs, and 18 runs scored with a slash line of .293/.341/.507.

Texas is averaging 7.8 runs per game in the last five with a higher on-base percentage (.345). The Rangers have a .606 OPS against lefties in 2023, fourth lowest in MLB. With a .890 OPS over 13 at-bats, Corey Seager has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Oakland is 1-6 away from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in 2023, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 8.6 runs. Texas has gone 6-3 at their home park this season, averaging 6.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. In the last 10 games at Globe Life Field between the teams, Texas is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.9-5.9.