A’s vs. Rangers Monday Prediction
The Oakland A’s are only playing .500 ball thus far in 2018 but they’ve also won seven of their last 10 games. They’ll open a new series against their division rivals when they visit the last-place Texas Rangers on Monday night. Will they open that series with a W?
Game Snapshot & Odds
963 Oakland A’s (-140) at 964 Texas Rangers (+120); 10 runs
Monday, April 23, 2018
8:05 p.m. ET, Globe Life Park in Arlington
TV: OAK (CSCA); TEX (FSSW)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the A’s as a -140 favorite. As of this writing, 60% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the A’s to beat the Rangers on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
A’s Cahill coming off seven-inning scoreless outing vs. Sox
Trevor Cahill allowed five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts over seven scoreless innings in his season debut in Tuesday’s win against the White Sox. It’s the first time the A’s needed their fifth starter so far this season and he was ace-like.
The fresh Cahill threw 56 of his 92 pitches for strikes in the quality start, his first since July 16, 2017 when he was a member of the San Diego Padres. He is expected to make his next start Monday in Texas opposite the ice-cold Matt Moore, and he’ll be in line for a two-start week.
Moore coming off first victory for Rangers
Matt Moore picked up his first win after holding the Rays to just an unearned run over seven innings on Tuesday.
Yeah, the Rays offense really is that bad. Moore was 0-3 with an 8.76 ERA coming into this one, and he continues to look like a weak bet going forward.
MLB Betting Trends
Oakland
The A’s are 5-1 in Cahill’s last six road starts against the Rangers and are 10-3 in his last 13 outings versus Texas overall.
Texas
The Rangers have won six of their last eight meetings against the A’s at home but are just 4-10 in their last 14 games versus Oakland overall.
Prediction:
Moore pitched a gem against an offensively-challenged Tampa Bay team in his last outing but Oakland has a sneaky-good offense. I like the A’s to pound Moore for a few innings before going to work on Texas’ bullpen. If Cahill can keep some of the Rangers’ big poppers in check I like the A’s to pick up the victory tonight and their price isn’t overly expensive.
The Pick: Oakland A’s -140