Texas at Oakland

Texas is on a tear, winning seven of nine. They won five of those games as a dog, including the last two contests, winning 6-5 and 7-6 as dogs of +123 and +155. Why are oddsmakers giving this team so little respect? The Texas offense is sixth in baseball in runs scored, #11 in slugging, and fifth in steals. Starter Derek Holland has been better on the road than at home the last three years and is 5-4 with a 3.26 ERA in 18 appearances (13 starts) versus the Athletics. The Rangers are 35-17 when Holland faces the AL West, plus the team is 28-10 after allowing five runs or more in their previous game. The Athletics are returning home after a dismal 3-6 road trip. Starter Sean Manaea (11.37 ERA) is winless and was blasted for eight runs and 10 hits in a 13-5 loss in Boston on Tuesday. Manaea is allowing a .382 batting average against! Oakland is 5-11 at home, part of an 8-22 run at home. The Athletics are also 7-20 against a team with a winning record, plus 19-46 against a southpaw starter. Take Texas.