The Oakland Athletics (-160) take one of the lightest-hitting lineups in the league on the road to face the Texas Rangers (+135) at Globe Life Field on Tuesday to open a two-game series. The early total was set at 8.5 runs with the under a -115 favorite. The Athletics (51-90) are playing their first of six games on the road after wrapping up a tough six-game homestand (1-5). They won only one out of four in their last series against the White Sox, taking the finale 10-3 on Sunday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Tony Kemp was 3 for 4 with a home run and a triple. He scored four runs and drove in three, stretching his on-base streak to 13 games. Vimael Machin went 3 for 5 with a double, one run, and three RBIs. The Rangers (61-80) split their last series against the Marlins, splitting both games of a series-ending doubleheader at loanDepot park on Monday. They followed up a 3-2 win in the opener with a 10-6 loss in the finale. Marcus Semien went 3 for 4 with a home run and a triple in the second leg. He scored two runs and had three RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Rangers have won 10 of 17 in the season series between the AL West rivals, including a 10-3 victory in their most recent meeting on August 18 at Globe Life Field. Dane Dunning went six innings, giving up two runs on four hits, to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Ken Waldichuk (0-1, 3.60 ERA) is set to start for Oakland. The southpaw allowed three runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 7-3 road defeat against the Braves on Wednesday. He was charged with the loss, scattering three hits while striking out two. Southpaw Cole Ragans (0-2, 3.80 ERA) will toe the rubber for Texas. He has made one prior start against the Athletics this season, giving up three runs over five innings in a 7-2 home defeat on August 17. He gave up four hits and walked one, while striking out three in the loss. In his last start on Wednesday, Ragans took a no-decision on the road against the Astros. He threw three scoreless, no-hit innings, striking out three and walking three in the 4-3 loss.
AT THE PLATE
The Oakland offense is averaging 3.4 runs per game for the season, second lowest in MLB, with a slash line of .217/.281/.345. Sean Murphy leads the team in OPS at .775. The catcher is slashing .252/.333/.442 with 18 home runs, 64 RBIs, and 59 runs over 129 games. Against left-handed pitchers like Ragans this season, the A’s have a .637 OPS, third lowest in MLB. Murphy also is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a .938 OPS in 110 at-bats. Texas is slashing .242/.305/.397 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game. Nathaniel Lowe leads the team with a .865 OPS. The first baseman has 24 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 65 runs scored with a slash line of .308/.362/.503. The Rangers have a .755 OPS against left-handers in 2022. With a .988 OPS over 152 at-bats, Lowe also has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Oakland is 28-41 in away games in 2022, scoring 3.9 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Texas has gone 29-40 at home this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. Texas is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Globe Life Field despite an average scoreline favoring Oakland (5.8-5.5).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 40 games behind the division-leading Astros. The Rangers are third in the AL West, 30 games behind the Astros.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Texas Rangers (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
