Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Prediction: Can Corey Seager and Texas Make a Push Before Trade Deadline?

Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Prediction: Can Corey Seager and Texas Make a Push Before Trade Deadline?

The Texas Rangers opened up the second half of the season with a 5-4 loss to the Oakland Athletics on the road. The Rangers are currently 42-50 on the season and are probably using these next couple of weeks to see whether they should sell or buy at the trade deadline.

We've seen multiple teams go on massive winning streaks this season. The Rangers could use one right about now. Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Saturday's game between the Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics.

Athletics vs. Rangers Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: July 23, 2022
• Game Time: 9:07 pm ET
• Where to Watch: FS1

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Athletics vs. Rangers Injury Report

Athletics

Out: 2B Jed Lowrie (Shoulder)

Rangers

Out: C Mitch Garver (Forearm), 1B Brad Miller (Neck), OF Eli White (Wrist)

Athletics vs. Rangers Line Movement

Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Prediction

The Texas Rangers will pitch right-hander Matt Bush for tonight's game. Bush has appeared in 36 games this season and has a 3.31 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP. He's also struck out 40 batters in 32.2 innings on the year.

Bush will likely be an opener to a lefty in Taylor Hearn, who hasn't had the best go-around this season. Hearn has a 4.15 xFIP with 24.2% of strikeouts. However, he's also walked 12.1% of batters while giving up 28.6% of line drives in the last 30 days.

However, Hearn will face an Athletics lineup that has been absolutely dreadful against lefties in the last 30 days. The A's have a .131 ISO and wOBA of .287 in the last 30 days with their projected lineup.

But wait, it gets worse. The A's are hitting 61.6% of ground balls against lefties and just 11.4% of line drives. That's just terrible.

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Meanwhile, James Kaprielian will give it a go for the Athletics tonight. The right-hander has a 1-5 record with a 5.09 ERA on the season.

In the last 30 days, Kaprielian has had a 6.17 xFIP with 12.4% of strikeouts and 12.4% of walks. He's getting a solid amount of grounders and limits line drives well, but he'll have a much tougher assignment against the Rangers, who have a .181 ISO and wOBA of .320 in the last 30 days against righties.

Kaprielian has struggled against righties, giving up a .403 wOBA and ISO of .257 in his last 43 plate appearances against them. He'll take on just three righties in the Rangers lineup, which should help his case.

However, he's also giving up 44.8% of hard contact in the last 30 days, and the Rangers are hitting 23.9% of line drives against righties in that same time frame.

I'll take the Rangers to get the job done in this one.

Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Pick

• Rangers (-125) (Bet $125 to Win $100)

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