Oakland Athletics (50-39) vs. Texas Rangers (34-53)
July 10, 2021 4:05 pm EDT
The Line: Texas Rangers +120 / Oakland Athletics -140; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oakland Athletics and the Texas Rangers meet Saturday in MLB action from Globe Life Field. This will be the second installment in a three-game weekend set between these teams. In the series opener on Friday, the Rangers eked out a one-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Oakland played the Astros this week, losing the first pair 9-6 and 4-3 before a 2-1 win on Thursday. In the Friday opener versus Texas, the A’s out-hit Texas 7-5 but ultimately fell 3-2. Cole Irvin lasted 5.0 innings with three hits and three earned runs.
For the starter job in the Saturday game, the A’s will go with James Kaprielian. Across 57.0 innings this year Kaprielian has 41 hits, 18 earned runs, eight homers allowed, 20 walks, 62 Ks and a 2.84 ERA.
Over on the Rangers’ side, they played the Tigers this week. Texas won Tuesday 10-5 but lost the other two games. In the Friday opener, the Rangers notched all three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Jordan Lyles posted 6.0 innings with seven hits, one walk and two earned runs.
For Saturday’s game two start, the Rangers will go with Mike Foltynewicz. Across his 94.0 innings this year Foltynewicz has put up 101 hits, 55 runs (54 earned), 21 homers allowed, 21 walks, 67 Ks and a 5.17 ERA.
The A’s are 9-3 in their last 12 in game two of a series and 15-6 in their last 21 with the total set at 9.0-10.5. Oakland is 2-8 in their last 10 versus a right-handed starter and the over is 4-0 in their last four Saturday games.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are 16-39 in their last 55 games versus a right-handed starter and 5-13 in their last 18 versus the AL West. The over is 3-1-1 in the Rangers’ last five in game two of a series and 3-1-2 in their last six home games.
PICK: I’m going to take the A’s in this one. Foltynewicz has given up four or more earned runs in four of his last six starts, but the good news is that he’s gone at least 6.0 innings in each of his last three. As for Kaprielian, he’s given up three or fewer earned in each of his last six outings and is coming off a nice start versus the Red Sox. I like Kaprielian to keep it going and help put Oakland in a good spot here.
