4:07 pm
August 8

Rangers @ Athletics

Who will WIN this matchup?

Texas Rangers (39-72)

@ Oakland Athletics (63-48)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Lyles (TEX): 5-8; 5.25 ERA

Kaprielian (OAK) 5-4; 3.24 ERA

 

Current odds:

Texas Rangers: (+240)

Oakland Athletics: (-280)

 

• The Oakland Athletics will go for their first three-game series sweep since June when they close out a home set against the reeling Texas Rangers on Sunday afternoon. The A’s responded from the short turnaround between an extra-innings affair on Friday night and an afternoon game on Saturday with a seven-run third inning that paved the way to a 12-3 cakewalk.

• Saturday’s explosion came in the wake of Friday’s announcement that Ramon Laureano would have to miss the rest of the regular season — and more — on an 80-game suspension prompted by a positive drug test. A’s manager Bob Melvin watched Marte, who has replaced Laureano in center field, contribute two more hits, including a run-scoring double, in Saturday’s 16-hit barrage. He also noted that another newcomer, Josh Harrison, who had a home run and two singles in the win, could help fill the outfield void.

• Now winners of three straight, the A’s are expected to reinstate right-hander James Kaprielian (5-4, 3.24 ERA) from the injured list to make Sunday’s start. The 27-year-old hasn’t pitched since experiencing shoulder discomfort while getting blasted for a season-worst six runs in 4 1/3 innings in a road loss to the San Diego Padres last Tuesday. The rookie already has made three starts against the Rangers this season and hasn’t recorded a win in any of them. All three were similar — either five or six innings, between four and six hits, and either two or three runs.

• Righty Jordan Lyles (5-8, 5.25), who has a 3-0 career record against the A’s with a 2.87 ERA in six games (four starts), is expected to oppose Kaprielian. The 30-year-old has gone 0-3 in his past four starts, with his last win having come on July 9 against the A’s in a 3-2 home triumph in which he allowed just two runs in six innings.

6/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Oakland Athletics
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