Mlb Odds: Rangers-Athletics Prediction, Odds and Pick - 5/26/2022

In a west coast showdown, the Texas Rangers travel to Oaktown to take on The Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum. It is about that time to take look at our MLB odds series, where our Rangers-Athletics prediction and pick will be revealed.

The Rangers enter play coming off a relieving 7-2 win against the Angels in Anaheim that saw Texas snap a three-game skid. After the victory, Texas now sits at 19-23, which is good enough for third place in the AL West. Eager to begin the start of a winning streak, it will be left-hander Martin Perez's turn in the rotation as he will look to improve upon his 3-2 record and 1.64 ERA.

As for the Athletics, things had gone from bad to worse prior to winning back-to-back contests against the Mariners in Seattle. While a 19-27 record isn't going to cut it, the rebuilding A's are looking for some much-needed wins to inspire the troops as the MLB season inches closer to the month of June.

Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Rangers-Athletics MLB odds.

MLB Odds: Rangers-Athletics Odds

Texas Rangers: +1.5 (-220)

Oakland Athletics: -1.5 (+180)

Over: 7 (+104)

Under: 7 (-128)

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Why The Rangers Could Cover the Spread

It didn't seem too long ago that the Rangers disastrous start to the season took place, but with some key wins as of late, Texas has skyrocketed themselves up the standings and are only four games under .500.

In the decisive victory over the Angels, the Rangers mustered up ten hits including four of them going for extra bases. After a brutal nine-game gauntlet against the cream of the crop in the Astros and Angels, the Rangers were able to compile a 5-4 record, an impressive mark considering the three game losing streak that took place during the middle of that stretch. With the newfound confidence coming against some of the hottest teams in baseball, Texas will look to translate that success against a team that has not been as warm as Texas' previous opponents.

At the plate, the Rangers have been fairly below-average throughout the entire season. Texas has scored 171 runs total on the year, which only ranks as the 22nd most in baseball. Rangers hitters are also only hitting .223, which is well below the league median. If Texas can carry over the productive outing at the dish against the Angels into tonight's matchup at Oakland, then Texas will have a greater chance than not at covering the spread.

Statistically, the Rangers have slightly been the better team at the plate in comparison to the A's, but they have struggled at times on the mound. With a 4.01 ERA, there have been multiple contests that have slipped right through Texas' fingers thanks to a pitching collapse.

Luckily, Martin Perez is coming off his best outing of the season last Friday versus the ‘Stros when he fired a complete game shutout. Perez disposed of Houston rather easily, as he struck out five batters in pursuit of his third victory in just as many appearances.