MLB Handicapping: Rangers-Athletics

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Thursday when the Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics meet at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Rangers will give the ball to starter Scott Feldman in this one. Righthander Feldman is 17-5 this season with a 3.28 ERA. Starting this game for the Athletics will be Brett Anderson. The lefthander has a 4.21 ERA to go along with a 10-10 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Athletics listed as 113-moneyline favorites versus the Rangers, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Hank Blalock drove in four runs to help the Rangers get past the A's 9-8 on Wednesday, as -125 favorites. The 17 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8.5). Marlon Byrd had two hits with two RBIs and three runs scored for the Rangers. Tommy Hunter gave up nine hits and seven runs over 5 2-3 innings in the win. Cliff Pennington drove in a pair of runs for the A's, who were +105 underdogs. Clayton Mortensen gave up seven runs over 4 2-3 innings in taking the loss. Team records: Texas: 83-68 SU Oakland: 72-80 SU Texas most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5 After playing Oakland are 3-7 After a win are 5-5 Oakland most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing LA Angels are 4-6 After playing Texas are 7-3 After a loss are 8-2 A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 5 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 5 games when playing on the road against Oakland Texas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games when playing at home against Texas Oakland is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games Next up: Texas home to Tampa Bay, Friday, September 25 Oakland at LA Angels, Friday, September 25