Oakland Athletics (44-30) vs. Texas Rangers (26-46)
June 23, 2021 8:05 pm EDT
The Line: Texas Rangers +134 / Oakland Athletics -145; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oakland Athletics and the Texas Rangers meet Wednesday in MLB action from Globe Life Field.
This will be the third installment in a four-game set between these teams this week. The Rangers bagged a five-run win Monday, then in the Tuesday game the A’s took a big seven-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
The A’s fell behind in a hurry Monday, giving up five first-inning runs in an eventual 8-3 defeat. In the Tuesday game two, Oakland rattled off nine runs in the first three innings during a 13-6 win. Cole Irvin lasted 5.0 innings with three earned on seven hits and a walk.
For the Wednesday game, the Athletics will send out James Kaprielian for the start. Across his 38.0 innings this year, Kaprielian has 25 hits, 12 earned runs, five homers allowed, 17 walks, 42 Ks and a 2.84 ERA.
Over on the Rangers’ side, they notched 10 team hits and a pair of errors in the Monday victory. In the Tuesday game, Texas had four runs in the fifth inning but couldn’t complete the difficult comeback. Taylor Hearn and Brett de Geus combined for seven earned on five hits and four walks in 2.0 innings.
For the Wednesday starting pitcher role, the Rangers will go with Mike Foltynewicz. In his 74.0 innings this year, Foltynewicz has 87 hits, 47 runs (46 earned), 17 homers allowed, 19 walks, 51 Ks and a 5.59 ERA.
The A’s are 6-2 in the last eight with the total set at 11.0 or higher and 42-19 in their last 61 Wednesday games. Oakland is 52-24 in their last 76 versus a team with a winning percentage below .400 and the over is 7-2 in their last nine overall.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are 22-52 in their last 74 versus a right-handed starter and 1-4 in their last five Wednesday games. Texas is 0-5 in the last five in game three of a series and the under is 4-1-2 in their last seven in game three of a series.
PICK: I’m going with the A’s. Foltynewicz has struggled as of late, giving up 16 earned runs in his last three starts over a span of 11.1 innings. He’s allowed five homers in that stretch as well. As for Kaprielian, he gave up three earned in 5.2 innings (with two homers) in his last outing but on the whole is off to a good start. I like Kaprielian to notch a quality outing here.
