Rangers vs. A’s (May 27): Back home underdog value with Irvin & Oakland

The Oakland A’s have MLB’s worst home record, but tonight presents a high-value opportunity to back them at home against the visiting Texas Rangers.

Entering tonight, the A’s have just six home wins thus far this season, and they have won only one home series. In last night’s series opener against the Rangers, they fell 4-1 behind Martin Perez’s latest gem.

A big part of Oakland’s struggles at home is ineptitude at the plate. The A’s are dead last in the league in runs per game, averaging a measly 2.52 runs per game. On the road, they have been much more respectable, averaging 4.04 runs per game.

However, with the pitching matchup in their favor, there is a lot of value in backing the A’s to pick up a rare home win tonight.

Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Texas Rangers (20-23, 10-11 road, 3rd in the AL West) vs. Oakland A’s (19-28, 6-15 home, 4th in the AL West)
• Venue & Location: Oakland Coliseum (Oakland, Coliseum)
• Date: Friday, May 27, 2022
• Time: 9:40 p.m. Eastern Time (6:40 p.m. local time)
• How to Watch Today’s Rangers vs. A’s Game: Bally Sports Southwest (Rangers), NBC Sports California (A’s), MLB Extra Innings (subscription package)

Rangers vs. A’s Pitching Matchup

• Texas Rangers: Jon Gray (2022: 6 starts, 1-2, 5.14 ERA)
• Oakland A’s: Cole Irvin (2022: 6 starts, 2-2, 3.21 ERA)

Rangers vs. A’s Odds

Odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• Texas Rangers -132
• Oakland A’s +112

Over/Under

• OVER 7.5 (+104)
• UNDER 7.5 (-128)

Run Line

• Texas Rangers -1.5 (+146)
• Oakland A’s +1.5 (-178)

Positive Performances Make Irvin Worth a Wager at Home

After a stint on the injured list with shoulder tendinitis, Irvin returned to action for the A’s this past Sunday in a 4-1 road loss to the Los Angeles Angels. The 28-year-old lefty had a solid enough return, allowing three runs, eight hits, two walks in six innings, but he was outdueled by Angels hurler Patrick Sandoval.

After going 10-15 last season, Irvin has had a nice start to this season. And while the A’s as a whole have not had much success at home, the southpaw has.

In three home starts, he is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA, and two of the A’s six home wins have come in his home starts. At home, he has allowed just two runs in 16 innings, while he has allowed 10 runs in 17.2 innings in three road starts.

Gray, meanwhile, is still seeking his first road win with the Rangers.

Last time out, he certainly pitched well enough to deserve a win. This past Saturday, he allowed two runs, six hits, and two walks in six innings at Houston, but the Rangers fell 2-1 to the Astros at Minute Maid Park. In his previous road start, he tossed 4.1 shutout innings at Yankee Stadium, but one run was enough for the Bronx Bombers to pull out the win.

So, while Oakland has stunk it up offensively at home, it might not take more than a couple of runs to pick up the win tonight if Irvin can shut down the Rangers for the second time this season. On April 24, he allowed just one hit and two walks in five shutout innings and picked up the win in a 2-0 home win for the A’s.

Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics Prediction and Best Bets

Rangers vs. A’s Prediction: A’s to win

Rangers vs. A’s Best Bets: A’s ML (+112) and UNDER 7.5 (-128) – both at BetOnline)

The A’s have certainly been woeful at Oakland Coliseum this season, but the Rangers aren’t exactly producing fireworks on the road. They have yet to score three or more runs in four consecutive road games, and they come into tonight having tallied three, seven, and four in their previous three road tilts.

With how well Irvin has pitched at home thus far this season and the turnaround he is experiencing after his struggles in 2021, there’s a lot of reason to be confident that he will do his part to position himself for his third win of the season.

Runs will be at a premium, but if the A’s can even get three runs, it should be enough to get in the win column tonight.