Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers MLB Picks, Odds, Predictions 7/9/2021

The Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers meet Friday in MLB action at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Athletics need a win after losing five of their last seven games. The Rangers need a win after losing five of their last eight games.

The Oakland Athletics have scored 11 runs in their last three games and three or less runs in six of their last eight games. The Athletics have lost five of their last seven games when scoring three or less runs. Matt Olson leads the Athletics with 85 hits and 57 RBI while Jed Lowrie and Elvis Andrus have combined for 144 hits and 59 RBI. Cole Irvin gets the ball, and he is 6-7 with a 3.56 ERA and 73 strikeouts this season. This will be Irvin’s second career game against the Rangers.

The Texas Rangers have scored 16 runs in their last three games and three or less runs in four of their last eight games. The Rangers have lost 18 straight games when scoring three or less runs. Isiah Kiner-Falefa leads the Rangers with 91 hits and 30 RBI while Adolis Garcia and Nate Lowe have combined for 164 hits and 102 RBI. Jordan Lyles gets the ball, and he is 4-5 with a 4.98 ERA and 73 strikeouts this season. Lyles is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA and 18 strikeouts in his career against the Athletics.

The Athletics are 1-4 in their last 5 road games and 38-17 in their last 55 Friday games. The Rangers are 6-1 in their last 7 games following a loss and 16-35 in their last 51 overall. The under is 6-2 in Athletics last 8 road games. The over is 5-1-1 in Rangers last 7 overall. The Athletics are 44-21 in the last 65 meetings.

The Athletics have been the more trustworthy team this season, but they’re in a bit of a funk right now where the offense comes and goes. The Rangers offense is hot at the moment and Jordan Lyles has been rather solid lately, which includes holding the A’s to five hits and two runs through six innings a couple of weeks ago. I’ll take a shot with the Rangers and the plus money at home.