Texas Rangers (74-82) vs. Oakland Athletics (67-89)
The 2024 MLB betting action continues on Tuesday, September 24, as the Texas Rangers face off against the Oakland Athletics in an AL West battle at Oakland Coliseum, with the first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET.
This matchup marks the beginning of a three-game series. The Rangers enter as slight -112 moneyline favorites, with a total set at 7.5 runs.
Struggling with handicapping? Try our MLB Predictions!
Rangers Looking to End a Disappointing Season Strong
The Texas Rangers recently ended a three-game losing streak by narrowly defeating the Seattle Mariners 6-5. They managed to come back from a 4-0 deficit, thanks to Marcus Semien’s walk-off RBI single.
This season has been tough for the Rangers, who are unlikely to reach a .500 record and have lost eight of their last 12 games. Their performance during this stretch has been subpar, featuring a .218 batting average and a troubling 6.18 ERA.
Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, a 34-year-old right-hander, carries an 11-8 record with a 3.96 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 27 starts. He is coming off a rough outing against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he allowed seven earned runs over 4.2 innings.
Eovaldi faces the Athletics for the second time this season. In their previous encounter in April, he pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just one earned run. Throughout his career against Oakland, he holds a solid 2.75 ERA in 12 starts.
Earn more by utilizing our sportsbook promo codes.
Athletics Aim to Break Losing Streak
The Oakland Athletics were recently swept by the New York Yankees, suffering defeats of 4-2 in extra innings, 10-0, and 7-4 in their three-game series.
In their last eight games, the A’s have won only two. September has been particularly challenging, with an 8-12 record, a 4.92 ERA, and a .284 batting average against. Their offense has struggled, posting a disappointing .228 batting average and hitting 11 home runs in 417 at-bats.
Mitch Spence, a promising 26-year-old rookie right-hander, is expected to start for the A’s. He has an 8-9 record with a 4.30 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 22 starts and 11 relief appearances. Recently, he has shown improvement by allowing two or fewer runs in five consecutive games.
This will be Spence’s third matchup against the Rangers this season. Although he has yet to earn a decision against them, he has thrown eight innings, allowing three earned runs.
Key Insights for Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics
The Athletics have faced challenges against right-handed pitchers lately, recording a wRC+ of 68 and an OPS of .568 in the last ten days. The Rangers have been slightly better, with a .628 OPS and an 80 wRC+. During this period, the Rangers’ bullpen has struggled significantly, posting a 6.28 ERA, while the Athletics’ bullpen has performed better with a 3.69 ERA.
In terms of individual performance, the current Rangers lineup has recorded only four hits in 24 at-bats against Spence, while the A’s have fared slightly better against Eovaldi, hitting eight times in 45 at-bats with two doubles and one home run.
With neither team having much at stake in this matchup, it is a toss-up. However, the Athletics may have the edge with their bullpen’s recent performance, and they could potentially capitalize on Eovaldi, who has been inconsistent.
