The Oakland Athletics (15-10) and Texas Rangers (15-10) will open up an American League West series Monday night, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET
Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers
Oakland dropped back-to-back games to the Houston Astros over the weekend, including a 5-1 setback Sunday afternoon. The Athletics combined for 39 hits in their first three games in Houston, but reached base just six times in the series finale. With the loss, the franchise fell to 9-7 during its current stretch of 19 consecutive games versus division foes. Oakland is 24-18 as a road underdog of +125 to +150 the last two-plus seasons.
Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (3-1, 2.25 ERA) suffered a 3-0 home loss to the Rangers last Wednesday, as he allowed three runs and five hits over seven innings of work. The right-hander has yielded a .175 average with runners in scoring position, including .111 with two outs in that situation. In seven career road games (five starts), Gray has compiled a 3-2 record and 3.26 ERA.
Texas went 4-2 on its recently completed six-game road trip, as it was unable to hold onto an early lead in suffering a 6-5 defeat to the Seattle Mariners Sunday. The Rangers have played their last five affairs with leadoff hitter Shin Soo-Choo, who may land on the disabled list with a ankle injury this week. It’s important to point out that closer Joakim Soria is 14-for-14 in career save opportunities versus Oakland. Texas is 28-24 as home favorites of -125 to -150 since the 2012 campaign.
Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish (1-0, 1.61 ERA) will be making his second consecutive appearance versus the Athletics, as he didn’t earn a decision in a 4-3 road win last time out. The right-hander has allowed five runs in 28 innings over his first four outings, with the club winning each of those trips to the mound. In eight lifetime efforts in this rivalry, Darvish has tallied a 1-6 record and 4.32 ERA.
Sports bettors will likely back the Rangers due to their 6-0 record in Darvish’s last six starts as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
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