The Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers continue their four-game series at Globe Life Field in Arlington with the third clash this Wednesday night, so here’s the best A’s vs. Rangers betting pick along with the latest odds update.
The Rangers upset the odds in the opener this past Monday, as these two AL West foes met for the first time in 2021. Texas won 8-3 as a +108 home dog, and the Rangers were listed at +120 for Tuesday’s game that’s excluded from this analysis. The Athletics opened as -149 favorites for Wednesday’s showdown, while the Rangers sit at +138 odds with a total of 9.0 runs on BetRivers Sportsbook.
The A’s lost the lead in the AL West
The Oakland Athletics dropped to 44-30 on the season following that heavy defeat at the Rangers last Monday. They also fell to second place in the AL West standings, trailing one game behind the Astros.
The A’s are scoring 4.49 runs per game (13th in the majors) while surrendering 4.16 in a return (also 13th). Over the last two weeks, they’ve recorded the 10th-best OPS in the majors (.752) while posting the ninth-lowest ERA (3.71).
James Kaprielian will toe the slab Wednesday, and the 27-year-old righty is 4-1 in seven starts this season. Kaprielian sports a sharp 2.84 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 42/17 K/BB ratio across 38 frames of work, and he’ll search for his third straight victory after beating the Royals and Yankees in the previous two starts.
The Rangers snapped their skid thanks to a five-run first inning
The Texas Rangers put an end to their six-game losing streak last Monday, scoring five runs off Frankie Montas in the bottom of the first inning. They improved to 26-46 on the season, and the Rangers sat bottom of the AL West standings, ten games behind the Angels and 17 behind the A’s.
Texas is scoring just 3.97 runs per game (24th in the majors) while yielding 4.85 in a return (22nd). The Rangers’ pitching staff has recorded a 4.91 ERA over the last two weeks, and their bats have posted a .676 OPS in that stretch.
Mike Foltynewicz will get the starting call Wednesday, and the 29-year-old righty is having a terrible season. Folty is 1-7 in 14 starts, sporting a pedestrian 5.59 ERA and 1.43 WHIP to go with a 51/19 K/BB ratio across 74 frames of work. He also allowed the most home runs in the American League (17).
Trends:
Oakland:
- 13-5 in the last 18 games overall
- 14-5 in the last 19 games against Texas
Texas:
- 4-16 in the last 20 games overall
- 2-6 in the last eight games at home
Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Pick
The Athletics should take full advantage of this matchup, as Mike Foltynewicz has been awful lately. The righty has allowed a whopping 16 earned runs over his last three outings and 11.1 innings of work, so he’ll have a tall task to slow down the A’s who have been pretty solid at the dish over the last few weeks.
On the other side, James Kaprielian is enjoying a wonderful season despite the lack of experience. I don’t trust him too much, but even if it comes down to the bullpens, the A’s have the advantage over the Rangers.
MLB Free Picks: Take Oakland Athletics at -149
Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Total:
I’ve mentioned Folty’s recent woes and 16 earned runs allowed over his last three showings. The Rangers’ relievers own the ninth-highest ERA in baseball (4.50), and over the last three weeks, they’ve recorded a poor 5.58 ERA along with seven losses in relief.
Therefore, I’m going with the over despite a 9-run line. Oakland’s bullpen has been shaky, too, posting a 4.41 ERA in June.
MLB Total Pick: Go over 9.0 runs at -115
