After pounding their AL West division rivals in their in Game 1 of their series opener on Monday, the Oakland A’s will turn to ace right-hander Frankie Montas in order to take the visiting Texas Rangers when Game 2 goes down live at Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday night. If you’re an MLB betting enthusiasts that is looking to find out whether or not Oakland can take care of business at home or whether Texas is going to two-step their way to a ‘payback’ win, then let’s get to my expert MLB betting prediction right now.
Rangers vs Athletics MLB Odds, Preview & Expert Pick
RECAP: Excellent start to the last series of the homestand! https://t.co/qJtDvZKLTO#RootedInOakland | @budweiserusa pic.twitter.com/gjbdZ3AckB
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) April 23, 2019
- When: Tuesday April 23, 2019, 10:07 PM ET
- Where: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, Coliseum
- TV: NSCA, FSSW
- Radio: Texas / Oakland
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- Opening MLB Odds: Texas +135/Oakland -145 (total 8)
- Starting Pitchers: Lynn vs Montas
Why Bet On Texas
The Rangers have won seven of their last 10 games, but they were completely dominated in their humbling 6-1 loss to Seattle on Monday. Texas had won two in a row against Houston while scoring at least nine runs in each contest, but they stranded baserunners in the first, second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings while starter Mike Minor gave up four runs on four hits and threw walks in six innings. Veteran shortstop Elvis Andrus was forced to leave the game after being hit by a pitch on his hand in the seventh inning.
“Just a hand contusion that was swelling up late in the game,” manager Chris Woodward said. “It was hard for him to hold the bat. It was going to be difficult to have an at-bat at that point.”
Despite their loss on Monday, Texas has won seven of their last 10 games while scoring at least five runs in every victory during the span and scoring eight or more four times. Veteran right-hander Lance Lynn gets the ball in this one and he’s looking good after not allowing more than two earned runs in three straight starts while striking out 16 over 18.2 total innings.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Runs/G: 5.57
- Hits /G: 8.10
- Walks /G: 3.81
- Strike Outs /G: 9.43
- Runs/G: 5.38
- Hits /G: 9.24
- Walks /G: 4.14
- Strike Outs /G: 7.05
Why Bet On Oakland
The Athletics snapped a three-game skid by surprising Texas on Monday as Stephen Piscotty homered and drove in three runs to support Chris Bassitt in his regular season debut that completed his return from Tommy John surgery three years ago.
“Piscotty is absurd defensively some days and he’s absurd offensively some days and it’s like not so much if he’s going to step up, it’s going to be how,” Bassitt said. “We have a team here, the starters just give this team a chance and we have really good odds to win.”
To get another win in Game 2, the A’s are turning to right-hander Frankie Montas hoping he can extend his impressive string of pitching performances. In four starts this season, Montas has limited the opposition to one run twice while allowing two runs on one other occasion and just three runs two weeks ago in his third start of the season. Montas limited Houston to one run on three hits in 6.1 innings of a 2-1 win last Wednesday.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Runs/G: 4.64
- Hits /G: 8.20
- Walks /G: 2.88
- Strike Outs /G: 6.72
- Runs/G: 4.68
- Hits /G: 8.16
- Walks /G: 3.44
- Strike Outs /G: 7.76
Expert Analysis and Prediction
I know Lance Lynn has been solid for Texas this season and that the Rangers have the far more potent offense in this AL West division rivalry, but Frankie Montas has been literally lights out for Oakland this season and I believe the A’s are going to carry over the confidence of Monday’s win into this game.
The Rangers are 8-23 in their last 31 road games, 1-4 in their last 5 against a team with a losing record and 2-12 in their last 14 road games vs. a right-handed starter. Conversely, the Athletics are 24-10 in their last 34 during game 2 of a series and a bankroll-boosting 40-19 in their last 59 home games. Oakland wins and cashes in!
Pick: Oakland 4 Texas 2
