Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics Betting Pick 09/22/19

Marcus Semien and the streaking Oakland Athletics are seeking their fifth straight victory when they play host to the Texas Rangers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. NBC Sports – California will showcase the matchup and the opening pitch is scheduled for 4:07 p.m. ET.

Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics Odds

Oakland (getting -175 odds) is a sizable favorite over Texas and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this day game at 9 runs. Odds for playing the game’s total stand at -115 for the over and -105 for the under. There’s a runline of Rangers +1.5 (-135) and Athletics -1.5 (+115) for this matchup.

The Athletics are 94-61 straight up (SU) and 87-67 against the spread (ATS). The team has gained 26.4 units for moneyline bettors and 18.0 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Rangers are 74-81 SU and have gone 83-71 against the spread. They’ve accumulated 5.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 2.7 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.

Oakland games have an over/under record of 70-79-5 in 2019. The Rangers have also been a good under bet with a total record of 68-83-3.

Right-hander Lance Lynn is the probable starter for the visiting Rangers. Lynn is 14-11 with a 3.77 ERA and 224 strikeouts. He’s 1-1 with 19 strikeouts and a 6.46 ERA against Oakland this year (three starts).

The Athletics are putting the ball in the hands of righty Tanner Roark (10-8, 4.12 ERA), who’s got 152 strikeouts and 48 walks as well as a 1.37 WHIP. Roark is 0-1 with five strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA in one start against Texas this year.

As a unit, Oakland’s pitching staff has yielded 4.3 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starters have an ERA of 4.03, a WHIP of 1.24 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.1. The bullpen has a 3.97 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9.3 K/9. In 69 divisional games, Athletics starters have an ERA of 5.06 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.95.

Oakland’s hitters are putting up 5.3 runs per outing, including 5.6 per game against divisional foes and 5.6 per game over their last five. The team has hit .241/.352/.418 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that span.

Shortstop Marcus Semien and third baseman Matt Chapman have led the Athletics’ batters this year. Semien is hitting .286/.369/.523 with 32 home runs, 90 RBIs and 119 runs scored, and Chapman is hitting .246 with 34 homers, 87 RBIs and 98 runs scored.

For the visitors, Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 5.33 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 8.31 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.64, along with a WHIP of 1.47.

The Rangers offense has slashed .246/.319/.427 on its way to 4.9 runs scored per game this season, including 5.0 runs per game against divisional foes and 1.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (0-5 SU).

Elvis Andrus and Shin-soo Choo have paced Texas’ offense. The speedy Andrus is hitting .271/.308/.387 with 11 home runs, 68 RBIs, 74 runs and 28 stolen bases, while Choo (.264/.366/.446) has produced 22 homers, 57 RBIs and 85 runs scored.

The Rangers have gained 5.0 units and are 54-45 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 43 of those games, compared to 55 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Athletics have netted 5.9 units and are 58-52 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 50 of those games, as opposed to 57 which went under the total.

Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics Free Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Rangers, O/U – OVER