Oakland Athletics (44-29) vs. Texas Rangers (25-46)
June 22, 2021 8:05 pm EDT
The Line: Texas Rangers +139 / Oakland Athletics -150; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oakland Athletics and the Texas Rangers meet Tuesday in MLB action from Globe Life Field. This will be the second installment in a four-game series between these teams this week. In the Monday opener, the Rangers managed a five-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Oakland beat the Yankees on Friday but then took losses 7-5 Saturday and 2-1 in the Sunday game. On Monday versus the Rangers, the A’s put up seven hits in an 8-3 defeat. Starter Frankie Montas logged 5.2 innings with eight earned on nine hits and two walks.
For the starter job in the Tuesday game, the A’s will go with Cole Irvin. Over his 81.0 innings of work this year Irvin has 88 hits, 37 runs (35 earned), nine homers allowed, 14 walks, 56 Ks and a 3.89 ERA.
Over on the Rangers’ side, they were swept by the Twins over the weekend 7-5 Friday, 3-2 Saturday and 4-2 Sunday. In the Monday game, the Rangers bagged five runs in the first inning and cruised from there. Kyle Gibson put up 5.1 innings with two earned on five hits.
For the starting role in the Tuesday matchup, Texas is going with Jordan Lyles. Over 71.1 innings of work this year Lyles has 85 hits, 46 runs (45 earned), 16 homers, 26 walks, 60 Ks and a 5.68 ERA.
Oakland is 6-1 in the last seven Tuesday games and 6-1 in their last seven in game two of a series. The under is 7-3 in the A’s last 10 road games with the total at 7.0-8.5 and 26-6-1 in their last 33 with the total set at 11.0 or higher.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are 6-2 in their last eight home games versus a lefty starter and 17-41 in their last 58 Tuesday games. Texas is 3-9 in their last 12 in game two of a series and 1-8 in their last nine overall versus a left-handed starter.
PICK: I’m going to go with the A’s. Lyles has had some up-and-down starts lately. He’s coming off 4.1 innings with seven hits, five earned, four homers, two walks and three Ks versus the Astros. As for Irvin, he gave up four earned on nine hits in 5.2 innings versus the Angels his last time up, but had posted just two earned over his previous 12.0 innings. Both these guys need a good showing here, and I think Irvin will get it in an Oakland win.
