Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers odds, picks and predictions
The Oakland Athletics (43-97) and Texas Rangers (76-63) meet Friday, as they open a 3-game AL West series. First pitch at Globe Life Field is slated for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Athletics vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rangers lead 7-3
Oakland opens a road trip after a 4-2 homestand and a Thursday off day. The club with the worst overall record in MLB is 1-4 over its last 5 road games and 4-13 over its last 17.
Texas is just 1-5 on a homestand that started Sept. 1. Struggling on offense and on the mound, the Rangers have won just 4 games in their last 19.
Athletics at Rangers projected starters
RHP Paul Blackburn vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery
Blackburn (4-4, 3.81 ERA) is making his 17th start and 18th appearance. He has a 1.46 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 in 89 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K in 2-1 home win vs. Los Angeles Angels Saturday
- 2023 road stats: 2-2, 4.10 ERA in 41 2/3 IP in 8 games (7 starts)
- Career starts vs. Rangers: 0-3, 13.50 ERA in 16 IP in 4 starts
- Owns a 2.38 ERA over his last 7 starts
Montgomery (8-10, 3.46 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.23 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 in 156 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 3 2/3 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 0 K in 9-7 home loss vs. Minnesota Twins Saturday
- 2023 home stats: 6-4, 3.83 ERA in 80 IP in 14 starts
- Last 5 starts vs. Athletics: 0-1, 3.64 ERA in 29 2/3 IP
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Athletics at Rangers odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:57 a.m. ET.
Athletics at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Athletics 3
Peg Texas with just a slight lean. No value. AVOID.
The Rangers do not play many 1-run games and are worth a thought here. Recent troubles — especially with the Texas bullpen — chip away at that potential. Would take Texas -1.5 at -106 or better. Otherwise, PASS.
The Under has cashed in 3 straight Oakland-Texas games.
Blackburn has been hurt by a .352 batting average on balls in play this season (.398 BABIP in his road starts). He’s on a nice trend line recently.
Montgomery is coming off a clunker, and he has a solid history of posting excellent rebounds in such situations. Over the last 2 seasons, the veteran port-sider has yielded 5-plus ER in a game 6 other times. His next-time-out performances have yielded a 2.36 ERA.
Montgomery makes this start on 5 days’ rest, which has been quite a productive interval for him the last 2 years.
Both bullpens have been inadequate of late. Oakland’s relief corps leads much to be desired, but its been one hurt by a .308 BABIP since Aug. 1. Since that same date, the Texas ‘pen has been torched by a 20.9% home runs/fly balls rate. Both groups are rested at the back end after off days.
