24th Sept - Athletics vs Rangers

There’s not a lot left for the Oakland Athletics to play for and perhaps that has shown over the last couple of weeks, where they defense has been sloppy. Usually reliable outfielder Josh Reddick was the latest guilty party giving up a pair of errors on Wednesday night as they were routed by the Rangers again.

Chris Bassitt takes the mound tonight for the A’s and he’s been hampered by a right shoulder injury in recent weeks. Bassitt has some decent pitches, but he’s 1-6 on the season and is making his first start since late August.

The Rangers are 8-2 over their last 10 games and have been one of the best hitting teams in the MLB during that stretch. They’ve found their home run hitting form, while Adrian Beltre, Elvis Andrus, Prince Fielder, Shin-Shoo Choo and others hitting as well as they have done all season long.

They’re also looking to make the most of Cole Hamels, sneaking him in early to get an extra start before the end of the year. Hamels has been on fire over his last seven starts posting a 4-0 record and 3.12 ERA. It looks like a tough match-up for Oakland on paper.

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Hamels 

The way Hamels has been pitching, he’ll be more than happy to get an extra start in. He won’t mind the look of going up against this Oakland order either.

2. Home Runs

Texas’ home run hitting form should turn this game into at least a two-run win. Home runs multiply the score and it feels like the deep ball can come from multiple places in this line-up right now.

3. Bassitt’s injury

Oakland has been very careful with Bassitt, this is a strange game to ask him to start. There’s a good chance that Bassitt will be a little tentative on his return and it could cost him big time.