Oakland at Texas

The Athletics are 7-11 on the season including 3-6 on the road, yet they are nearly even money here? Yes they have the pitching advantage but the Rangers have been pounding left-hand pitching to the tune of 9.2 runs per game on the season and the A's offense will be hard pressed to keep up. Vicente Padilla has not gotten off to a big start for the Rangers, but he does own a career 5-1 mark against the A's. And this Oakland offense is producing only four runs per game against right-hand pitching. Texas is 27-17 the past two seasons vs. poor power teams (those averaging under .75 HRs per game). With Padilla on the mound during that span, the Rangers are 8-1 vs such teams! Oakland is just 39-54 in expected close games (line of -125 to +125) over the past two seasons. That includes a 14-28 mark on the road in those games.  I'll back the Rangers on the moneyline in this one.