MLB Tips: Oakland Athletics @ Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics face off tonight, in what could be a possible post season preview.
Oakland Athletics @ Texas Rangers
After last night’s thrilling 5-4 ninth inning victory for the Rangers, these AL West contenders will go at it again at Rangers Ballpark. The 86-67 Athletics will have Tommy Milone (13-10, 3.86 ERA) on the mound, who is a strong home performer, less so away with a 6-6 record and an ERA of 5.17. The division-leading Rangers (91-62) start Yu Darvish (16-9, 3.90 ERA), who has had a breakout rookie season, and he was superb against the Angels last time allowing just one earned run in eight dominant innings.
Texas are 7-1 in their last eight games against a left-handed starter, 61-29 in their last 90 home games, and 4-0 in Darvish’s last four starts as a favourite. Oakland is 14-6 in their last 20 road games, 2-6 in their last eight games against a team with a winning record, and 6-1in Milone’s last seven starts. Oakland is 8-19 in the last 27 meetings of these two. Go with the all-round stronger Rangers to win by at least two here.
Read the rest of our MLB tips for this evening here:
Toronto Blue Jays @ Baltimore Orioles
In this AL East clash, the 88-66 Orioles host the 67-86 Blue Jays again after yesterday’s honours-shared double-header. Whilst the Orioles are still in a very strong position for at least a Wild Card spot, the Blue Jays have been poor in September going 7-15, not helped by pitching from the likes of Aaron Laffey (3-6, 4.80 ERA), who has lost four-straight decisions and has been pulled before the fourth inning in successive games now. Joe Saunders (8-12, 4.08 ERA) has started to show some of his old form since his trade to the Orioles, and he allowed just one earned run in eight innings in a no-decision against the Mariners last time out. Expect the Orioles to cover the -1.5 run line.
Back Baltimore -1.5 Runs @ -110
Kansas City Royals @ Detroit Tigers
Whilst the 70-83 Royals are now out of the playoff picture, they can still determine the fate of their AL Central rivals Chicago White Sox and Detroit. Outplayed last night in a 2-6 defeat, the Royals go with Bruce Chen (11-12, 5.22 ERA) who tends to rack up wins despite an often hefty ERA. Anibal Sanchez (8-13, 4.14 ERA) starts for 81-72 Detroit, and although he broke his run of five-straight quality starts versus the A’s last time, he did throw seven innings for just one earned run against the Royals in August. We’re backing Detroit tonight.
Read our report on Oakland completing a four game sweep on the Yankees here
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