More MLB action is headed our way, as we get set for another divisional showdown in the AL West.
The Texas Rangers, winners of seven of their last nine contests, are one of baseball’s hottest teams right now. Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics were impressive last week with a three-game sweep over playoff contenders the Detroit Tigers, but got swept themselves in the next three-game series to the Boston Red Sox.
Which of these two AL West hopefuls will win and bring positive momentum heading into the All-Star Break? Read on below for our preview of their matchup. And let’s not forget that the NBA Finals is getting more and more exciting. Check out our preview of Game 3 between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Texas Rangers vs Oakland Athletics Preview
Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland
When: Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Line: Texas Rangers (+160) vs. Oakland Athletics (-180); total: 7.0 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Texas Rangers
After a miserable 2014 and a rough start to this season, the Texas Rangers (30-27) are suddenly on a roll and seem primed for playoff contention. They have won 14 of their last 18 games, and have won six consecutive series heading into Tuesday.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Leading Texas’ resurgence is Prince Fielder, who currently leads the American League with a .356 batting average. Fielder also leads the team in all major batting categories, but has only managed to drive in three runs in the past 10 games.
Going up against Sonny Gray in the first game of the series also spells doom for Fielder, as he is just 1-for-11 lifetime against Oakland’s ace. But if there’s any player who could make an impact for Texas on offense against Gray, that may be Joey Gallo.
Texas’ 21-year old top prospect will face Oakland’s starter for the first time this season, and his first six games in the big leagues definitely show a lot of promise. Gallo is 7-for-24 with two homers and five RBIs this season, but has to work on avoiding getting struck out, as he already has 13 K’s for the year.
If the Texas offense finds itself in a rut against Gray, then they can turn the game into a pitcher’s duel just as well. The Rangers’ Game 1 starter is Nick Martinez, and they’re certainly glad to have him on the mound against the A’s. Martinez is 4-0 this season with an ERA of 0.69 in the AL West games that he had started. His ERA in two games against Oakland this season is 1.38.
Even better for the Rangers is that they’re on the road against the worst team in their own division. Texas leads the majors with 19 road victories.
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Betting on the Oakland Athletics
While the Texas Rangers are climbing up the standings, the Oakland Athletics (23-36) are still stuck at the bottom. The A’s are currently the worst team in the American League, but they can reverse their fortunes by playing competitive against their divisional rival in the Rangers. Oakland is 4-3 this season against Texas.
Going against the A’s is their record at home as well. They only have nine wins at O.co Coliseum, the worst in the majors. But there’s good reason to believe that their tenth win in Oakland is within reach this Tuesday, as they have arguably the best pitcher in the American League as their starter.
Sonny Gray has been sensational in an otherwise poor season for the Athletics. The righty leads the American League with an ERA of 1.65, and has allowed only two runs in the past 21 innings. Facing Texas also works in Gray’s favor, as he is 6-2 with a 1.54 ERA in his eight career starts against the Rangers. To top it all off, opposing batters are only hitting .186 against Gray this season.
However, Oakland needs more than just a stellar outing from Gray, as their hitters are set to face-off against a solid starter in Texas’ Nick Martinez. A’s outfielder Josh Reddick will look to deal the most damage, as he is 5-for-9 in his career against Martinez.
Reddick has great success against the Rangers’ pitching staff as a whole, going 6-for-12 with eight RBIs against Texas this season. Fellow teammate Stephen Vogt is also a threat for the Rangers, as he is 7-of-17 with three home runs and and RBIs against the Rangers this year.
Writer’s Prediction
Texas (+160) wins a low-scoring affair over Oakland, 3-1.
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