The Texas Rangers (14-10) and the A’s (11-13) wrap up a 3-game series Thursday at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. First pitch is scheduled for 10:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Rangers vs. A’s odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
The first-place Rangers are looking to get back on track following a 5-2 loss in Wednesday’s middle game. Texas slipped to 4-7 in 11 road games, and it hasn’t won a series on the road since taking 2 of 3 in Cincinnati in the first trip of the season March 31-April 2.
Rangers OF Wyatt Langford was the bright spot in Wednesday’s loss, as he belted his sixth homer of the season, while C Kyle Higashioka was the only Texas batter with multiple hits (2 singles).
For the A’s, C Shea Langeliers brought his hitting shoes to the park Wednesday, going 4-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI to push his average back up to .250. OF Lawrence Butler left the yard for the fourth time with a solo shot from the leadoff position, too, while 3B Gio Urshela collected a pair of doubles in his 3 at-bats, while also driving in a run.
The A’s are looking for their first series win at their temporary home in Sacramento, losing the first 3 series against the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and New York Mets. They’re just 3-8 in 11 home games this season.
Rangers at A’s projected starters
RHP Jacob deGrom vs. RHP J.T. Ginn
DeGrom (0-1, 3.32 ERA) makes his fifth start. He has a 1.06 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 through 21 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 H (1 solo HR), 1 BB, 8 K in 3-0 home setback vs. LA Dodgers last Friday
- 2025 road splits: 1 start (April 11), no-decision, 4 IP, 3 ER, 3 H (2 HR), 4 BB, 4 K in 5-3 setback in Seattle
- Career vs. A’s: 1-1, 5.40 ERA (10 IP, 6 ER), 9 H, 4 BB, 16 K, 1.30 WHIP, 14.4 K/9 in 2 starts
- Last start vs. A’s (April 23, 2023): Win, 6 IP, 1 ER (2 R), 3 H, 0 BB, 11 K in 5-2 win in Texas
Ginn (1-1, 3.60 ERA) makes his third start. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 11.7 K/9 through 10 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 5-3 setback in Milwaukee last Friday
- 2025 home splits: 1 start (April 12), win, 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H (1 solo HR), 2 BB, 6 K in 3-1 victory vs. New York Mets
- Career vs. Rangers: 1 start (Sept. 26, 2024), win, 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 3-2 home victory for his first MLB win
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Rangers at A’s odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | A’s +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+110) | A’s +1.5 (-135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Rangers at A’s picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 5, A’s 2
The RANGERS (-150) are a decent play as moderate favorites, as the first-place team looks to secure a road series win for the first time since April 2.
The A’s are likely to hang around for most of the game, as Ginn will give them a chance to win. He might pitch with a little extra oomph after topping the Rangers last season for his first MLB victory. However, once this game gets into the bullpen, it’s decidedly in favor of Texas.
If you’re a little more adventurous, back RANGERS -1.5 (+110) at plus-money. DeGrom is a tough customer who turned in a quality start last time out, but his offense provided zero run support against the high-octane Dodgers. If he can replicate those results, he should lead the visitors to a comfortable victory.
The A’s just haven’t looked comfortable in their new home, and they haven’t won a series there yet in 3 tries. There is no reason to feel confident things will be different against the first-place Rangers.
UNDER 8.5 (-110) is the lean, but don’t get too carried away. Things can change in a hurry at Sutter Health Park.
However, the Under is 8-1 in the past 9 games for the Rangers, including Wednesday’s loss. The A’s have cashed low at a 3-2-2 clip in the past 7 games, while going 5-3-2 across the previous 10 outings.
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