Thursday, September 18, 2014

O.co Coliseum in Oakland

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday afternoon, the Texas Rangers will take the field behind Nick Martinez (3 -11, 4.93 ERA) as the square off against the Oakland Athletics and Sonny Gray (13 – 8, 3.18 ERA).  Martinez makes his 22nd start and 27th appearance as Gray makes his 31st start.

Nick Martinez took the loss in his last outing after allowing 4 runs on 4 hits (including a homer) in 6 innings of work.  Martinez walked a batter and struck out 3.  Martinez has struggled mightily in recent weeks as he has given up 4 or more runs in 5 of his last 10 outings. He is 2 -5 in those 10 appearances.   While down at Triple-A earlier this season, Martinez was 0 – 0 with a 1.86 ERA in 2 starts.

Martinez has made 2 appearances against the A’s this season but was unable to get the decision in either of those outings.

Sonny Gray pitched to his 2nd straight no-decision in his last outing.  Gray had a decent start though and gave up just 2 runs and 5 hits (including a home run) in 8 innings of work.  He walked 2 batters and struck out 7.  Despite this great start, Gray has been disappointing in his last few outings.  In his last 10 starts, Gray is just 2 - 5.  In 2013, he posted a record of 5 - 3 with a 2.67 ERA in 10 starts and 2 relief appearances.

Last season, Gray didn’t face the Rangers but he has seen them 4 times this season.  In those encounters, Gray is 3 -1.         

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

Texas Rangers are 65-75-10 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Texas Rangers is -1

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 71-70-9 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Oakland Athletics is 1.1

Injuries to Watch

Texas Rangers

09/17/14 RF Michael Choice Hamstring out for season
09/12/14 P Scott Baker Tricep "?" next start
09/05/14 RF Alex Rios Thumb out indefinitely
08/29/14 LF James Adduci Concussion 15-day DL (9/12)
08/26/14 LF Shin-Soo Choo Elbow 60-day DL (8/26), out for season
08/13/14 P Yu Darvish Elbow 60-day DL (8/10); out for season
06/11/14 P Tanner Scheppers Elbow 60-day DL (6/11)
06/10/14 1B Mitch Moreland Ankle 15-day DL (6/8)
06/04/14 P Alexi Ogando Elbow 60-day DL (6/3)
06/04/14 P Matt Harrison Back 60-day DL (5/14), out for season
05/22/14 1B Prince Fielder Neck 60-day DL (5/17)
05/21/14 P Martin Perez Elbow 60-day DL (5/11)
04/25/14 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff Back 60-day DL (4/23); out for season
04/23/14 P Pedro Figueroa Elbow 60-day DL (4/23)
03/31/14 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder 60-day DL (3/23)
03/28/14 RF Engel Beltre Leg 60-day DL (3/26)

Oakland Athletics

09/17/14 C Stephen Vogt Ankle "?" Wednesday vs. Texas Rangers
09/10/14 CF Craig Gentry Concussion out indefinitely
08/25/14 C John Jaso Concussion 15-day DL (9/8)
06/24/14 1B Kyle Blanks Calf 60-day DL (6/23)
03/30/14 P A.J. Griffin Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Fernando Rodriguez Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Jarrod Parker Elbow 60-day DL (3/20), out for season

Tony's Pick: Take Oakland

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink