The Texas Rangers (42-51) will try to salvage a game against the Oakland Athletics (35-62) Sunday in the finale of a 3-game set at Oakland Coliseum. First pitch is set for 4:07 p.m. ET.
Season series: Texas leads 7-5.
The Rangers have stumbled out of the gates in the second half with 3-1 and 5-4 losses in Oakland. Texas is now 3-7 in its last 10, but the Rangers are throwing their best pitcher Sunday in LHP Martin Perez.
Oakland is doing its part to raise awareness for its need of a new stadium. The A’s are just 14-32 at home even after taking the first 2 games. They throw their All-Star RHP Paul Blackburn Sunday, who has never beaten the Rangers.
Rangers at Athletics projected starters
LHP Martin Perez vs. RHP Paul Blackburn
Perez (7-2, 2.68 ERA) makes his 19th start. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 111 IP.
- Has allowed 1 ER on 6 H and 3 BB with 11 K’s in 13 IP against the A’s this season.
- His road numbers: 3-0 with a 2.52 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.
Blackburn (6-5, 3.62 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9 in 97 IP.
- Allowed 5 ER on 3 H and 4 BB with 4 K’s in 6 IP in a July 13 loss to the Rangers.
- Surprisingly, he has been awful at home with a 6.75 ERA and 1.47 WHIP vs. 1.88 ERA and 1.04 WHIP on the road.
Rangers at Athletics odds and lines
- Money line (ML): Rangers -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Athletics +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+125) | Athletics +1.5 (-155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)
Rangers at Athletics picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 5, Athletics 3
Money line
After dropping the first 2 games of the series, the Rangers bats should bust out in support of Perez, who’s 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA against the A’s in his last 5 starts. Also, the A’s struggle against left-handed pitching with an 11-19 record vs. lefties. Take the RANGERS -135.
Run line/Against the spread
Seven of the Rangers’ last 8 wins have been by 2 or more runs. Blackburn struggles at home and against the Rangers, which is a perfect recipe for Texas to tee off early. Take the RANGERS -1.5 (+125) for a HALF UNIT.
Over/Under
It’s 72 degrees with the wind blowing down the right-field line in a big ballpark. The Over is 4-0 in Perez’s last 4 starts. It’s also 3-0-1 in Blackburn’s last 4 starts against teams with a losing record. It’s 6-1 in these teams’ last 7 meetings and 4-0 in the last 4 in Oakland LEAN OVER 7.5 (+100).
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