Oakland Athletics vs Texas Rangers Picks and Predictions September 24th 2024

A’s open farewell series in Oakland vs. Rangers

At 9:40 PM ET, the Athletics and Rangers face off in an AL West matchup. This one is being played at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, and the Athletics are slight home favorites on the money line, with their odds sitting at +102 compared to the Rangers at -120. The over/under line is currently 7.5 runs.

Both of these teams are well out of the playoff race, as the Rangers are 3rd in the AL West with a record of 74-82, while the Athletics are 4th at 67-89. Nathan Eovaldi will start for the Rangers, while the Athletics are going with Mitch Spence. BSSW is carrying this one on TV.

Texas vs. Oakland Key Information

• Teams: Rangers at Athletics
• Where: Oakland Coliseum Oakland
• Date: Tuesday, September 24th
• Betting Odds TEX -120 | OAK +102 O/U 7.5

The Rangers Can Win If…

Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi gets the start for the Rangers today as he faces the Athletics on the road. Eovaldi has made 27 starts this year and has a record of 11-8 with a 3.96 ERA. Looking at his overall numbers, Eovaldi has a WHIP of 1.13 and has allowed a total of 23 home runs. One of his strengths has been limiting walks, as he is averaging just 2.18 per nine innings compared to 8.85 strikeouts. Eovaldi’s last outing came against the Blue Jays, where he finished with a no-decision, giving up seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work. Before that, he had won three straight starts.

Adolis Garcia comes into the game as the Rangers’ top home run hitter this season, but he is batting just .219 this season. Garcia’s 80 RBIs are the most on the team. Corey Seager has also been a big run producer for the Rangers, as he is 2nd on the team with 74 RBIs and has 30 homers, which is the best mark on the team and 11th in the MLB. Seager is also batting .278 this season.

Leody Taveras and Wyatt Langford have both been swinging the bat well for the Rangers of late, with Taveras going 10/29 in his last nine games and Langford going 9/31 with three homers in that stretch. Josh Smith is also on a six-game hitting streak for the Rangers.

• The Rangers are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Rangers are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Texas has an over/under record of 8-2 in their last ten games.
• The Rangers have an average of 2.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Rangers are 4-6
• Looking back across the Rangers last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Texas has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Rangers have averaged 2.8 runs per game on offense

The Athletics Can Win If…

Mitch Spence gets the start for the Athletics today and will be looking to build off his last outing, where he picked up the win. Against the Cubs on September 17th, he went 5 innings, giving up 2 earned runs, and 6 hits. Looking back further, Spence has finished with a no-decision in three straight outings. He has made 22 starts this year and has a record of 8-9, along with a 4.30 ERA. Spence’s WHIP for the season is 1.36, and opponents are batting .259 off the right-hander this year. Per nine innings, he is averaging 7.52 strikeouts and 2.66 walks.

The Athletics offense has been one of the best home run hitting teams in the league this season, but they are batting just .234 as a team and are 26th in the league in runs scored. As a team, they are averaging 4 runs per game, which is 26th in the MLB. One of the few bright spots in their lineup has been Brent Rooker, who is batting .296 for the season and has gone 10/37 with two homers over his last nine games.

Shea Langeliers is batting just .224 for the season, but he has gone 8/30 with three homers in his last nine games. Langeliers is also on a five-game hitting streak. Overall, he is 2nd on the team with 28 homers. Langeliers’ 75 RBIs are 2nd on the team, behind Rooker’s 110.

• The Athletics are 3-7 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Athletics are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Oakland has an over/under record of 6-4 in their last ten games.
• The Athletics have an average of 3.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Athletics are 5-5
• Looking back across the Athletics last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Oakland has gone 0-3 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Athletics have averaged 3.8 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Our projections have this Rangers vs. Athletics matchup as the 4th lowest-scoring game of the day, but with the line sitting at 7.5 runs, we are still leaning towards taking the over. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we like the Athletics to come out on top. Oakland’s offense is our 5th highest-rated home run-hitting team in today’s slate of games, and Mitch Spence has the 4th best hits allowed projection among today’s starters.

The Oakland Athletics are set to begin an emotional three-game home series against the defending champion Texas Rangers on Tuesday night, marking the beginning of the end for the A’s 57-year tenure in Oakland. This series is more than just another set of games—it’s the closing chapter of the A’s storied history in the city before their planned relocation to Las Vegas in 2028.

With just a few games left at the historic Oakland Coliseum, the city is preparing to say goodbye to its beloved team, and the sentiment surrounding the series is palpable. This farewell series isn’t just about baseball; it’s about honoring decades of memories, championships, and the deep bond between the team and its fans.

Relocation Plans: The End of an Era in Oakland

The Athletics will officially relocate to Las Vegas in 2028, but for the next three years, they will play their home games at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California. This temporary home holds around 14,000 fans, a significantly smaller capacity than the Oakland Coliseum, which can seat over 47,000 with the opening of its upper deck.

The relocation decision, though controversial, reflects the team’s financial aspirations. The new Las Vegas stadium promises better revenue potential, but it marks a painful goodbye for Oakland fans, who have supported the team for over five decades.

Fan Turnout and the Push to Open Mt. Davis

Fans are expected to turn out in droves for the A’s final home series. Thursday’s finale has already sold out, and there is a growing push from fans to open the Coliseum’s “Mt. Davis,” a 20,000-seat upper deck built for the NFL’s then-Oakland Raiders. Fans are eager to pack the stadium one last time to bid their team farewell.

Recent attendance numbers have shown a strong resurgence in fan interest, despite the team’s struggles on the field. Over the past weekend, the A’s drew their third, sixth, and seventh-largest crowds of the season during a series against the New York Yankees, although they were swept by the Bronx Bombers. Fans even witnessed hometown hero Aaron Judge hit home runs in back-to-back games.

The turnout for the Yankees series contrasts starkly with earlier in the season when just 2,895 fans attended a game against the Rangers in May, marking the lowest attendance of the year. This sharp increase in recent attendance demonstrates the deep-rooted loyalty and affection Oakland fans have for their team, despite its impending departure.

Sentimental Farewell for Manager Mark Kotsay

A’s manager Mark Kotsay, who played for Oakland from 2004 to 2007, is gearing up for Thursday’s emotional finale. Reflecting on the upcoming farewell, Kotsay admitted he isn’t quite sure how he’ll feel until the moment arrives.

“People have asked, ‘What are you going to feel or what’s the emotion going to be like?’ Until I go through it on Thursday, I really won’t be able to give you an honest answer,” Kotsay shared. “There’s going to be a lot of emotion.”

Kotsay’s personal connection to the team and city adds another emotional layer to the series, as he prepares to lead his squad through what is sure to be a memorable and poignant goodbye to Oakland.

Pitching Matchup: Mitch Spence vs. Nathan Eovaldi

On the field, Oakland will open the series with rookie right-hander Mitch Spence (8-9, 4.30 ERA). Spence has been in fine form recently, posting a 2.70 ERA over his last five starts and allowing just eight runs in 26 2/3 innings. He faced the Rangers earlier this month, giving up only two runs in five innings, and has a 3.38 ERA in two appearances against Texas this season.

Opposing him will be Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (11-8, 3.96 ERA), who has historically excelled at the Oakland Coliseum. Eovaldi boasts a 3-1 record with a 2.23 ERA in six career starts at the Coliseum, and overall, he has a lifetime 2.75 ERA against the Athletics. His experience and strong numbers against Oakland make him a formidable opponent in this emotionally charged series.

Returning Rangers with Oakland Ties: Jonah Heim, Marcus Semien, and Andrew Chafin

Adding to the sentimentality of the series, three current Rangers players—catcher Jonah Heim, infielder Marcus Semien, and reliever Andrew Chafin—are returning to Oakland, where they once donned the green and gold. Semien, in particular, holds a special place in the hearts of A’s fans. The San Francisco native spent six seasons with Oakland and finished third in American League MVP voting in 2019.

Reflecting on his time with the A’s, Semien shared his feelings about playing in Oakland one last time. “I’m going to miss playing here. This is one of my favorite places to play,” Semien said. “Obviously, I was a home player here, but coming back here I know my parents can be here, my siblings. My family always comes back for this trip, too. … I’ll never forget this place.”

Semien’s comments underscore the lasting emotional impact Oakland has had on many players, even after they’ve moved on to other teams.

A’s Season: Progress Despite Challenges

While the Athletics have had a tough season, entering this final series with a 67-89 record, they have shown significant improvement over last year’s dismal 50-112 campaign. The team has already won 17 more games than in 2022, showing resilience and development despite numerous obstacles.

Oakland fans have remained loyal throughout the ups and downs, and this farewell series serves as a reminder of the team’s rich history and potential for the future, even as it transitions to a new city.

A Poignant Farewell to Oakland

This three-game series against the Rangers is much more than just another set of games. It represents a symbolic farewell to Oakland, a city that has nurtured the A’s for decades. Fans will be saying goodbye not just to a team but to memories of championships, historic moments, and legendary players who called the Coliseum home.

As the A’s embark on a new journey in Las Vegas, this final chapter in Oakland will be remembered for its emotional depth and historical significance. The city’s unwavering support for its team, even during difficult times, showcases the deep bond between the A’s and Oakland—a bond that will endure long after the team has relocated.

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