Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Prediction: Can Nathan Eovaldi Shut Down the Struggling Athletics?
The Oakland Athletics face the Texas Rangers tonight. Can Nathan Eovaldi shut down the struggling Athletics? Handicapper Krabs breaks down this MLB matchup.
Krabs - May 11, 2023, 4:29 PM EDT
7 minOakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Prediction: Can Nathan Eovaldi Shut Down the Struggling Athletics?
The Oakland Athletics are undoubtedly the worst team in MLB. Nearly a quarter through the season, Oakland has only eight wins. They are on pace to set numerous embarrassing records like the highest ERA in MLB history and potentially the worst record in the modern era. Tonight, it somehow gets worse for the Athletics. They recently pulled up Zach Neal to make a spot start against the Rangers tonight. This one might get ugly.
Athletics vs. Rangers Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: Thursday, May 11, 2023
- Time: 9:40 pm ET
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV
Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Prediction
Zach Neal is 34 years old and hasn’t thrown a pitch in an MLB game since 2018. He spent the next three years pitching in Japan, where he carried a 4.49 ERA. After a brief stint with the Colorado Rockies AAA affiliate in 2022, where he carried a 6.87 ERA, Neal didn’t pitch any better this year in the minors. The veteran righty had over a 5.50 ERA before getting the call to the majors this morning.
Although this is a heartwarming story, we can’t expect Neal to outperform any of his ridiculously high NPB/minor league ERAs, right? Neal threw 90mph back in 2018; what has changed in the previous three years that has improved his game? Nothing. Neal is only starting tonight for the Athletics because they are short on arms.
Tonight the veteran faces a top-eight offense in baseball in batting average, runs, doubles, hits, home runs, and RBIs. Neal’s 90.3 mph sinker isn’t going to cut it against one of the best offenses in MLB. Texas's pitching advantage over the A’s is astronomical, with Nathan Eovaldi on the bump.
The flame-throwing righty hasn’t given up a run in his previous two starts against the formidable Angels and Yankees. Facing a significantly weaker lineup tonight, Eovaldi could extend his scoreless streak to three games tonight.
The Rangers have one of the deepest lineups in baseball. Their young pieces, like Jonah Heim, Ezekiel Duran, and Leody Taveras, have crushed the ball toward the bottom of the Rangers' lineup all season. This lineup has no weak spots with Marcus Semien, Nathaniel Lowe, and Adolis Garcia in the meat of the order.
Not only will the Rangers tee off on Zach Neal tonight, but Nathan Eovaldi should carve. The veteran flamethrower has been on fire of late and gets to face one of the weakest lineups in MLB history. Since the announcement of Neal as the starter, the odds have moved from (-200) to (-275). It looks like the Rangers will not only beat Oakland tonight, but this one shouldn’t be close.
Both of these teams love cashing the over. Games involving the Rangers this season have gone over 60% of the time, with Athletics games cashing overs at a 66% clip. Games involving either of these teams rarely end in close, low-scoring fashion. Rather, the Athletics have been blown out by eight runs more times this season than every other MLB team combined. Instead of backing the Rangers on the moneyline, or run line, back Texas (-2.5) with an alternate line.
Some books have already made this the runline, but many are still hanging (-1.5) with the juice on the Rangers. Texas is winning this game by three or more runs with one of the best offenses in baseball against a veteran who hasn’t sniffed an MLB mound in five years. The best part is, it's at plus money too.
Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Pick
Texas Rangers -2.5 +100 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
MLB Odds
