Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics Game 1 – 9/12/20 MLB Pick, Odds, and Prediction
2020-09-12 20:05:00 EDT
The Oakland Athletics and the Texas Rangers meet Saturday in MLB action from Globe Life Field.
This will be the first matchup of a Saturday doubleheader, and the second installment in a four-game weekend series between these teams. In the Friday opener, the A’s scored eight runs in the first three innings and cruised to an eventual 10-6 win to take first blood in the series. Check back all season long for free MLB picks and MLB predictions at Sports Chat Place.
The A’s out-hit the Rangers 12-8 in the Friday victory, and Oakland made their knocks count. Five Athletics players had multiple hits, and Matt Olson led the way on a grand slam, five RBI and two hits. Starting pitcher Mike Fiers got the win on 6.0 innings, four earned, two walks and five strikeouts.
For the Saturday game one starting role, Oakland will send out 25-year-old rookie Daulton Jefferies. In the Minor Leagues last season, Jefferies posted a pretty ridiculous K:BB ratio with nine walks and 93 strikeouts. He’s the A’s No. 7-rated prospect.
Over on the Rangers’ side, Friday starting pitcher Luis Garcia took the loss with out recording an out, imploding for three walks and the one big hit (the grand slam). Jordan Lyles pitched most of the game with 7.0 innings, nine hits, five earned, two homers allowed and five strikeouts.
In the game one starting pitcher job, the Rangers are trotting out Nick Goody. In 13 games (no starts) without a decision this year, Goody has a 6.23 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 8.2 total innings. On his MLB career, Goody is 4-6 with a 3.95 ERA and 181 Ks in 150.1 innings of work.
The A’s are 5-1 in their last six games overall and 41-15 in their last 56 games versus the American League West. Oakland is 60-24 in their last 84 games as a favorite and 21-8 in their last 29 road games as a favorite.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are 19-39 in their last 58 overall and 13-32 in their last 45 games as a underdog. Texas is 2-5 in their last seven Saturday games and 2-5 in their last seven opening games of a doubleheader.
Pick: I’m leaning A’s here. It’s going to be interesting to see what Jefferies can do. The Texas hitters will have their hands full if his stuff translates to the MLB level. In any case, neither starting pitcher will probably remain in this game for long, so Goody will have a chance to shine as well. There’s likely to be a lot of bullpen work for Oakland in this one, but the team is set up pretty darn well.
