Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics odds, picks and predictions

The Texas Rangers (67-46) and the Oakland Athletics (32-81) play the middle contest of a 3-game series at Oakland Coliseum Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Athletics odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Rangers lead 6-2

The Rangers have won a season-high 7 straight games to push their lead in the AL West to 3 games over the Houston Astros. Texas has outscored the opposition 44-17 over that stretch, adding to the team’s league-best +172 run differential.

The Athletics are on the flip side, with the worst run differential in the majors at minus-273. Oakland is just 17-40 at home this season, including 1-4 against Texas at the Coliseum. The Under is 3-2 in the 5 meetings in Oakland this season.

Rangers at Athletics projected starters

RHP Max Scherzer vs. LHP J.P. Sears

Scherzer (10-4, 4.04 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.21 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9 in 113 2/3 innings for the Rangers and New York Mets.

• Last start: Win, 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 9 K in 5-3 home win vs. the Chicago White Sox Thursday in his Texas debut
• 2023 road splits (with the Mets): 6-4, 5.16 ERA (66 1/3 IP, 38 ER – 19 HR), .261 opponent batting average (OBA) in 12 starts

Sears (2-8, 4.07 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.08 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 in 121 2/3 innings.

• Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 5 K in an 8-2 road loss vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday
• 2023 home splits: 0-3, 4.41 ERA (51 IP, 25 ER – 14 HR), .234 OBA in 9 starts

Rangers at Athletics odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:05 a.m. ET.

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Rangers at Athletics picks and predictions

Prediction

Rangers 5, Athletics 2

The Rangers (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s quite risky. Yes, Texas has won 7 in a row and Oakland is awful, but Scherzer has had his issues on the road and it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to iron those problems out in a new uniform.

PASS.

Luckily for Scherzer and his issues on the road, the RANGERS -1.5 (-135) should be able to roll up plenty of offense against the southpaw Sears.

The Rangers have covered as a favorite in 6 of the 7 victories during the current streak, including the 5-3 win in Monday’s series opener. With Scherzer on the bump, Texas ‘should’ be the play against the awful Oakland side.

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While Scherzer has been giving on the road this season, and Sears has been giving everywhere, I think the total actually comes right down on the number. AVOID.

The Under is 4-1 in the past 5 games overall for the Rangers, including Scherzer’s debut against the White Sox last week. The A’s have gone low in 2 of the past 3 games and 4 of the past 5 games at home. If there is a lean, it’s to the Under.

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