A’s vs Rangers MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
The Texas Rangers will look to continue their dominance over the Oakland A’s, while slugger Josh Hamilton aims to extend his hitting streak to 17 games in the final game of a quick two-game set that began with a Rangers’ 4-1 win on Wednesday night in Arlington.
OAK: Brandon McCarthy (3-3, 2.56) vs. TEX: Matt Harrison (4-3, 5.23)
Date/Time: Thursday, May 17, – 2:05 PM EST
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Broadcast: CSN-California (Oakland) FOX Sports Southwest (Texas)
LINE: Texas -170
TOTAL: 9
The Rangers went 13-6 against Oakland last year, winning 12 of the last 14 while holding the A’s to .185 at the plate.
Recently the A’s 9-19 (10-9 V) have hit just .161 with 28 strikeouts while dropping two of their last three.
They will try to reverse that trend and provide enough run support for 28-year old righty Brandon McCarthy who returned to the mound after skipping a turn in the rotation with right shoulder soreness, on Saturday against the Tigers. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
McCarthy proceeded to power his way through seven innings on 91 pitches, matching a career high with 10 strikeouts while allowing only four hits in his third win and first shutout of the season.
He lowered his ERA to 2.56, and has now allowed just five runs in his last 27 2/3 innings, spanning across four innings.
Meanwhile, the Rangers 24-14 (11-8 H) are sitting comfortably atop the AL West, five games up on Oakland, thank mainly to Hamilton who is hitting .402 with 18 HR and 45 RBI, including .368 with six homers and 28 RBIs in 28 meetings with the A’s in Arlington.
Starting opposite of the Oakland’s McCarthy, will be Matt Harrison who fell to 4-3 with Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Angels.
The 26-year old lefty pitched six innings, allowing four runs and four hits. He struck out five and walked two and although has a winning record, but he’s been pretty beatable this season. If it wasn’t for the A’s offense, would probably have a losing record.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Oakland- The Rangers did a nice job to get back on track, but the A’s play better away from the Bay. Mix that with the recent non-impressive performances from Harrison and I expect Oakland to start hot and stay ahead at the end on the scoreboard against Texas.
