The Texas Rangers (12-7) host the Oakland Athletics (4-16) at Globe Life Field on Saturday. The Athletics took Friday’s series opener 5-4. Reliever Zach Jackson threw one scoreless inning to get the win, and Jeurys Familia picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
Jordan Diaz was 1 for 1 with a solo home run in the win. Conner Capel added one run on two hits and a walk. Jonah Heim’s on-base streak is up to 10 games as he went 1 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs for the Rangers.
ON THE MOUND
Shintaro Fujinami (0-3, 11.37 ERA) is set to take the mound for Oakland. The RHP allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 3-2 road defeat against the Mets on April 15. He took the loss, yielding four hits while striking out five and walking two.For Texas, southpaw Andrew Heaney (1-1, 8.22 ERA) gets the start.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Athletics. In his last start on Sunday, Heaney took a no-decision on the road against the Astros. He threw five scoreless innings and gave up two hits, striking out four and walking three in the 9-1 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged only 2.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 3.5, while performing worse across the board (.193/.290/.267). Against lefties like Heaney this season, the A’s have a .706 OPS.
Esteury Ruiz is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a 1.163 OPS in 16 at-bats. Texas is averaging 8.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 6.1 for the season, with an improved slash line (.260/.352/.438). The Rangers have a .771 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .965 OPS over 58 at-bats, Marcus Semien has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Oakland is 2-6 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 8.0 runs. Texas has gone 6-4 at Globe Life Field this season, averaging 6.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. In the last 10 games between the AL West rivals at Globe Life Field, each club has won five, though Oakland has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 6.0-5.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rangers lead the AL West by two games over the Astros. The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, eight games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Texas Rangers (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
