OAKLAND, Calif. — The Texas Rangers roll into Oakland on April 29 to tangle with the Athletics, a matchup that’s got bettors and bookies buzzing. The Rangers, sitting at 15-14, are coming off a sluggish stretch, dropping five of their last six games. The Athletics, meanwhile, cling to a 13-16 record, scrapping for every win as underdogs. This game, the first of a three-game set, is shaping up as a gritty battle under the lights at the Oakland Coliseum.
Oddsmakers have pegged the Rangers as favorites, setting the moneyline at -207. That gives Texas a 67.4% implied chance of victory, a nod to their deeper lineup and road resilience. The Athletics, at +171, aren’t being given much love, with just a 36.9% shot at an upset. The run line favors the Rangers at -1.5, meaning they’ll need to win by at least two to cover. For those eyeing the over/under, the total’s set at 8.5 runs, a hint that both teams could rack up some hits if the pitching falters.
On the mound, Texas sends out Patrick Corbin, a lefty who’s been a mixed bag this season. Corbin’s 1.53 WHIP and .832 OPS against aren’t exactly inspiring, but he held the A’s to two earned runs over five innings in his last start against them. Oakland counters with JP Sears, another southpaw, who’s been sharper than his record suggests. Sears boasts a 1.11 WHIP and limited right-handed hitters to a .657 OPS, a stat that matters with seven righties in the Rangers’ lineup tonight. The A’s have leaned on Sears for stability, going 3-1 in his last four starts.
Offensively, the Athletics have a slight edge against left-handed pitching, ranking fourth in road OPS at .757 and posting a .791 OPS against southpaws. Their 8-5 road record shows they’re no pushovers away from home. The Rangers, though, struggle against lefties, with a meager .646 OPS and a 2-4 record in those matchups. At home, their bats have been quiet, ranking 25th in OPS at .673. Last night, Texas mustered just one run against Oakland’s pitching, a 2-1 loss that exposed their offensive woes.
The game’s outcome could hinge on the bullpens. Oakland’s relief corps has been shaky, but Texas hasn’t exactly slammed the door either. Globe Life Field, where the Rangers play their home games, has been a graveyard for overs, with Texas going 1-12 on over/under bets at home and averaging just 3.68 runs per game there. Tonight’s neutral site might loosen things up, but don’t expect a slugfest.
This is the Rangers’ first crack at the A’s since a three-game set earlier this month, where Texas went 1-2 as moneyline favorites. Oakland’s pulled off eight wins in 18 games as underdogs this season, a 44.4% clip that suggests they can bite when counted out. With both teams desperate to climb the AL West standings, every pitch counts.
First pitch is set for 9:40 p.m. ET on April 29 at the Oakland Coliseum. The Rangers are favored at -207, Athletics at +171, run line at -1.5 for Texas, and the over/under at 8.5 runs.