MLB Betting Preview: Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics

The Texas Rangers (60-49) and Oakland Athletics (63-45) will open up a three-game American League West series Friday at the O.co Coliseum, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:05 p.m. ET

Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics

The Texas Rangers are 28-13 versus AL West opponents in 2013

Texas has won four games in a row, including a 7-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks as -250 home favorites Thursday, while going UNDER the betting total for the fifth time in six contests. The Rangers are now 3.5 games back of the Athletics in the division standings, but their recent play has the clubhouse excited for the weekend. “It’s nice to be on a win streak, but we have to go up in there and continue to play good ball,” commented Rangers manager Ron Washington. Texas is 28-13 versus the division opponents this season, with the OVER going 20-18-3 in that situation.

Rangers starting pitcher Alexi Ogando (4-3, 3.05 ERA) has watched the club drop his last two efforts, including a 6-0 road defeat to the Cleveland Indians last time out, as he allowed one run and six hits over 4.2 frames. The right-hander is 2-3 with a 3.14 ERA in nine road outings, with opposing hitters batting .239 against him. In 16 career games (two starts) versus the Athletics, Ogando has posted a 1-1 record and 3.60 ERA, including a 6-2 victory at this ballpark on May 15.

Oakland has dropped back-to-back games, including a 5-2 setback to the Toronto Blue Jays as -147 home favorites Wednesday, while going UNDER the total in both of those contests. The Athletics went 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position in their last affair, as they try to avoid losing three consecutive games for the first time since a five-game slide May 6-10. Oakland is 8-2 when playing after an off day this season, with the OVER cashing in six of those contests.

Athletics starting pitcher Tommy Milone (9-8, 4.10 ERA) is coming off a 3-1 home victory over the Los Angeles Angels, as he allowed a single run and four hits over seven innigs of work. The left-hander is 5-3 with a 2.97 ERA in nine home efforts this season, surrendering 11 home runs in 57.2 combined frames. In four lifetime appearances versus the Rangers, Milone has compiled a 0-3 record and 4.24 ERA, including a 9-4 road loss on June 19.