The Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics meet Wednesday in MLB action from O.co Coliseum. This will be the second installment in a three-game series between these teams. In the Tuesday opener, the Rangers eked out a one-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Texas played the Royals over the weekend and notched a sweep, winning 9-4, 8-0 and 4-1. In the Tuesday opener versus the A’s, the Rangers posted nine hits on the way to a 5-4 win. Mike Foltynewicz posted 7.0 innings with four hits and two earned runs.
For the starter job in the Wednesday game, Texas will go with Kolby Allard. Over his 46.0 innings this year, Allard has 41 hits, 17 earned runs, six homers allowed, 10 walks, 44 Ks and a 3.33 ERA overall.
Over on the A’s side, they played the Giants this past weekend. Oakland lost the first two in that set but won on Sunday 6-2. In the Tuesday game, Oakland scored a couple in the bottom of the ninth but couldn’t complete the comeback. James Kaprielian managed 6.0 innings with three earned on six hits.
For the starter job in the Wednesday game, the A’s will send out Chris Bassitt. In his 99.2 innings of work this year, Bassitt has 80 hits, 36 earned runs, nine homers allowed, 26 walks, 102 Ks and a 3.25 ERA.
The Rangers are 4-10 in their last 14 in game two of a series and 8-21 in their last 29 overall. Texas is 16-35 in their last 51 versus a right-handed starter and the under is 6-2 in their last eight Wednesday games.
Meanwhile, the A’s are 7-2 in their last nine in game two of a series and 43-17 in the last 60 versus a lefty starter. Oakland is 42-20 in their last 62 Wednesday games and the over is 4-0 in their last four in game two of a series.
PICK: I’m going to take the A’s here. Bassitt has been pretty solid over his last four starts, with just seven earned in a span of 25.2 innings of work. He’s coming off 7.0 innings with five hits, three walks and one earned versus Texas on June 24. As for Allard, he gave up four earned in 6.0 innings his last time up (versus the A’s), but prior to that had surrendered just six earned in three starts. This should be a pretty fun starter battle but I like the A’s a little better.