The
hard charging Oakland A’s have are making a move in the American League Western
Division and making a steady profit for their backers along the way. They look
to continue the upward movement against the Rangers.
The Oakland Athletics will look for a second straight win over the Texas Rangers when the two
teams square off tonight at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in the middle game of
a three-game series.
Lefthander Brett Anderson (2-2, 2.77 ERA) will take the
mound for Oakland opposite Texas right-hander Colby Lewis (2-4, 5.21 ERA). The
Rangers opened as a -125 favorite with the total at 8 on the MLB odds board.
Less than ideal weather is in the forecast. The Arlington forecast is calling
for hot and humid conditions with temperatures in the 80’s with a 50 percent of
rain and thunderstorms.
The
A’s have now won four of their last five games against the Rangers including last
night’s 7-2 decision getting the money as a slight +107 underdog. Red-hot
Trevor Cahill dominated the potent Texas lineup allowing just five hits while
striking out seven in his seven inning stint. His only mistake came against
Mitch Moreland who belted a solo home run. Otherwise Cahill was virtually
untouchable as he improved to 6-0 while lowering his ERA to 1.72. He’s now 8-2
lifetime with an ERA of 2.18 against the Rangers and is 3-0 with a 0.98 ERA in
four starts in Arlington.
Offensively
Josh Willingham slugged a three-run homer and drove in five runs giving him six
home runs and 22 runs batted in this year. Losing pitcher C.J. Wilson (4-2)
walked five and hit a batter. Those accounted for four of the five runs against
him.
Texas sized slump
Since
starting the season 9-1, the defending AL champion Rangers have lost 17 of 26
games to fall into third place in the division. At 18-18, the Rangers have a
.500 record for the first time since they were 14-14 on May 5 of last season.
Texas has dropped The Rangers have lost four consecutive series and seven of
their past eight.
The
Rangers troubles are many. The starting pitchers and the relievers are
struggling while the bats have gone cold.
Third
baseman Adrian Beltre, who had played every inning of every game for the Rangers, didn’t start but appeared as a pinch-hitter late in game. Beltre (.237, 7 HR,
26 RBI) has four hits in his past 30 at-bats. He hit seven home runs in the
Rangers first 21 games but hasn’t hit one since a stretch covering 14 games.
The
Rangers have also been without AL MVP Josh Hamilton since April 12 when he
broke a bone in his upper right arm in a game against Detroit. Texas is also
minus Nelson Cruz (.219, 7 HR, 18 RBI) who was put on the disabled list last
week with strained right quadriceps. Hamilton has been cleared to resume
batting practice beginning Friday in Anaheim but no date has been given for his
return.
The
Rangers bullpen was torched on Sunday giving up five homers in a 12-5 loss to
the Yankees. Texas relievers are 25th in the majors with a 4.58 ERA and
four blown saves in nine chances. They’ve also allowed 17 home runs.
The
Athletics have been a profitable play for MLB handicappers on the run line going 20-16 for +6.16
units. They’ve been just about break even on the money line (-0.35) this
season.
The
Rangers have earned +1.88 on the RL but are down -2.11 on the ML. The ‘over
could be an option tonight with Texas going 8-2 to the high side in its last 10
games overall and 7-2 at home.
Of
note: Last night was the first time in its last 11 games that Oakland hasn’t
been favored. Their record over that stretch is 7-4.
Bring the curtain down
The
series concludes tomorrow with Matt Harrison (3-4, 4.35) facing Gio Gonzalez
(4-2, 2.68) in a 2:05 PM ET start. Then following a travel day, the Rangers
welcome the Angels for a three-game series while the A’s return home to take on
the White Sox.