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MLB Betting – Texas vs. Oakland Preview & Pick

Shea weighs in with his MLB Free Pick for tonight. It’s the Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics matching up at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The A’s are currently 134-moneyline favorites…

Saturday MLB Baseball Picks: Rangers vs A’s

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MLB Betting – Rangers vs Athletics Preview & Pick
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2011
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Broadcast: FSH, CSCA
Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics Betting Lines from Betus.com
Money Line: Oakland -134
Over/Under: 7 -115
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Texas Rangers (15-10 through April 28)
Colby Lewis (1-3, 6.95)

The Texas Rangers roared out to the best start in baseball this season but they’re licking their wounds right now after dropping three of four to the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this week. The key stat from that series: Texas allowed at least five runs in each of those games. After leading the majors in almost every pitching category through the first week of 2011, Texas’ arms have crashed back to Earth.

The truth is that the current form of Texas’ staff may be closer to the real thing. Matt Harrison just isn’t that good. Alexi Ogando wasn’t even supposed to be a starter so it’s understandable that he’s scuffling slightly. But what about Colby Lewis, who gets the ball Saturday against Oakland?

The Rangers have to be pretty disappointed with his start. He was born again last season after returning from Japan and expected to be one of Texas’ top two starters this year. In just 22 innings, Lewis has served up a whopping eight homers. He had a 3.35 ERA against Oakland last year but was just 1-3.

Oakland Athletics (12-13 through April 28)
Brett Anderson (2-1, 1.56)

Brett Anderson has allowed two earned runs or fewer in all five of his starts this season. That he’s only 2-1 and that he has a loss at all tells you how bad the A’s offense has been this season. While Oakland has the majors’ best ERA at 2.66, it ranks 28th in baseball with 3.40 runs per game and 29th in homers with 11. Coco Crisp had been the only guy hitting of late but has been battling quad tightness and may not play Saturday.

MLB Trends:

Under is 6-1-1 in TEX last 8 road games.
TEX are 9-3 in their last 12 Sat. games.
Under is 38-17-5 in TEX last 60 Sat. games.
Under is 8-3 in OAK last 11 games following a win.
Under is 6-2-1 in the last 9 meetings in Oakland.
Under is 7-3 in Lewis’ last 10 starts vs. OAK.

The pick:

Though Oakland has struggled of late offensively, facing the slumping Lewis could be just the remedy. Hideki Matsui is the guy to watch here; he bats .500 with two homers and five RBI in 10 at-bats against Lewis. Even though Anderson hasn’t been great against Texas in his career (1-2, 5.18 ERA), the Rangers aren’t at full strength and their offense isn’t the same on the road. Go with the home team.

Rangers vs Athletics prediction: Athletics 5, Rangers 2

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By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.