The Texas Rangers and Athletics meet Saturday in MLB action at Sutter Health Park. Here’s a Athletics vs Rangers Prediction. This article will include a Athletics vs Rangers Pick.
Texas Rangers Betting Preview
The Texas Rangers are 69-67 on the year and play the Diamondbacks, Astros, and Brewers next. The Texas Rangers are batting .237 on the season, have a .305 OBP, and a .386 slugging percentage. The Texas Rangers pitching staff has a 3.43 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Josh Smith leads the Texas Rangers with 109 hits and 32 RBI, while Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia have combined for 215 hits and 134 RBI.
Merrill Kelly gets the ball for the Texas Rangers, and he is 10-7 with a 3.20 ERA and 147 strikeouts this season. Kelly is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA and 16 strikeouts in his career against the Athletics.
Athletics Betting Preview
The Athletics are 63-73 on the year and play the Cardinals, Angels, and Red Sox next. The Athletics are batting .253 on the season, have a .320 OBP, and a .432 slugging percentage. The Athletics pitching staff has a 4.78 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Brent Rooker leads the Athletics with 141 hits and 75 RBI while Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson have combined for 253 hits and 130 RBI.
Mason Barnett will make his major league debut tonight. Barnett has a 22-17 record, 4.44 ERA and 434 strikeouts in his minor league career. In AAA this season, Barnett was 6-2 with a 6.13 ERA and 124 strikeouts.
Why the Athletics will win
- The Athletics have won each of their last eight games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Rangers have lost each of their last four games as road favorites against AL West opponents following a win.
- The Athletics have covered the run line in each of their last 10 night games following a loss.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games as road favorites against AL West opponents following a win.
- The Athletics have led after 3 innings in four of their last five games as home underdogs against AL West opponents.
- The Athletics have led after 5 innings in four of their last five night games at Sutter Health Park against AL West opponents.
- The Athletics have won the first inning in three of their last four games as home underdogs against American League opponents.
Why the Texas Rangers will win
- The Rangers have won each of their last 15 Saturday games as favorites against AL West opponents.
- The Athletics have lost four of their last five games against AL West opponents.
- The Rangers have covered the run line in each of their last six Saturday night games against American League opponents.
- The Rangers have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games.
Athletics Player Prop Facts
- Brent Rooker has hit a home run in three of the Athletics’ last five night games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
- Brent Rooker has recorded a Double in three of the Athletics’ last four games against AL West opponents at Sutter Health Park.
- Lawrence Butler has recorded at least one hit in each of the Athletics’ last seven home games against the Rangers.
Texas Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Merrill Kelly has recorded a win in each of his five previous road appearances against AL opponents that held a losing record.
- Corey Seager has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances against AL West opponents.
- Adolis Garcia has recorded at least one Double in three of the Rangers’ last four games as favorites against AL West opponents.
- Josh Jung has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- Merrill Kelly has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his six previous road appearances against AL West opponents.
Athletics vs Rangers Prediction
The Rangers are having a strong week and Kelly has been solid this season with a 3.20 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Since coming from Arizona, Kelly has allowed 22 hits and 10 runs in his last 29 innings. I have a rule about betting on pitchers making their big league debut and while he’s piled up the strikeouts, Barnett does have an ERA of six in AAA this season. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Rangers can do some damage against a guy who has yet to get his feet wet. Give me the Rangers on Saturday night.