The Texas Rangers (62-80) host the Oakland Athletics (51-91) at Globe Life Field on Wednesday with the home team in position to sweep the two-game series. The Rangers took Tuesday’s series opener 8-7, their 11th head-to-head victory in 18 games this season. Reliever Brock Burke threw two scoreless innings to get the win. Mark Mathias went 3 for 5 with two home runs and a double in the win. He scored three runs and had four RBIs. Adolis Garcia added a home run and a double. He scored two runs and drove in three. Dermis Garcia was 2 for 4 with a home run and a double for the Athletics. He had four RBIs. Chad Pinder went 3 for 4 with a double and two runs.
ON THE MOUND
JP Sears (5-2, 2.37 ERA) is in line to start for Oakland. The left-hander allowed six runs over two innings in his last start, a 14-2 home defeat against the White Sox on Thursday. He was charged with the loss, scattering eight hits while striking out two and walking one. Sears has made one previous start against the Rangers this season, a 5-1 road victory on August 16. He allowed four hits over five scoreless innings, striking out two and walking three. For Texas, right-hander Dane Dunning (3-8, 4.37 ERA) will toe the rubber. He has made two appearances against the Athletics this season, both starts, giving up five runs (4 ER) over 10.1 innings (1-0, 3.48) with nine strikeouts and six walks. In his last start on Friday, Dunning took a no-decision at home against the Blue Jays. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out five and walking two in the 4-3 loss.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged 4.8 runs a game, up from their season average of 3.5, thanks in part to greater slugging (.357 vs .346). Against right-handed pitchers like Dunning this season, the A’s have a .622 OPS, second lowest in the league. Seth Brown is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .759 OPS in 349 at-bats. Texas is averaging 5.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.5 for the season, with an improved slash line (.270/.324/.534). The Rangers have a .758 OPS against lefties in 2022. With a .976 OPS over 156 at-bats, Nathaniel Lowe has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Oakland is 28-42 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Texas has gone 30-40 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. Texas is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the AL West rivals at Globe Life Field despite an average scoreline favoring Oakland (5.9-5.5).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 41 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.
