Monday, April 21, 10:05 PM on FSSW, CSCA

O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

Texas - Darvish, Y (1-0) vs. Oakland - Straily, D (1-1)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Texas and Oakland kick off a three game set that could dictate the upper hand in a tight AL West early season race. The Rangers send their ace Yu Darvish (1-0) to the bump while Oakland counters with Dan Straily (1-1). Darvish hopes the Texas offense can give him some run support as he's allowed just two runs all season but received a no-decision in two starts. Darvish has fanned 23 batters in 22 IP and has a submarine-level 0.82 ERA for 2014.

The matchup with the A's will truly prove if Darvish is on a Cy Young pace this season as he's struggled against the team over his first two years. Darvish was 0-4 against the A's last year, which pushed his career record to 1-6 against the team with a 7.30 ERA. A's manager Bob Melvin has some decisions to make as both of his 1st basemen have hit Darvish well. Daric Barton has gotten hits in 4 of 7 (.571) AB's against Yu while Brandon Moss is 5 for 15 (.333) with 3 HR.

Dan Straily had a magnificent outing his second game of the year, allowing just 3 hits and 1 run over 7 innings to the Twins. He snapped back to reality his last time out though, giving up 6 runs to the Angels without getting out of the 4th inning. Straily has allowed 10 runs in 16.1 innings for a 5.40 ERA.

Straily has made six starts in his career against Texas, going 3-1 with a 4.05 ERA over that span. He had an up and down 2013 against the Rangers, allowing 2 runs or less in 3 of his starts but 11 runs in the other two. Straily catches a break with Adrian Beltre on the DL as the Texas 3B has gone 6 for 17 against him lifetime.

Texas Betting Trends

Texas is 7-10-1 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Texas is +0.4

Oakland Betting Trends

Oakland is 8-9-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Oakland is +1.7

Injuries to Watch

Texas

04/19/14 LF James Adduci Finger 15-day DL (4/19)
04/18/14 P Tanner Scheppers Elbow 15-day DL (4/18)
04/13/14 3B Adrian Beltre Quad 15-day DL (4/9)
04/08/14 P Joe Saunders Ankle 15-day DL (4/5)
03/31/14 C Geovany Soto Knee 60-day DL (3/30)
03/31/14 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder 60-day DL (3/23)
03/31/14 P Matt Harrison Back 15-day DL (3/29)
03/28/14 P Derek Holland Knee 60-day DL (3/3)
03/28/14 RF Engel Beltre Leg 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Joe Ortiz Foot 60-day DL (2/14)

Oakland

04/20/14 CF Coco Crisp Wrist probable
04/04/14 SS Jake Elmore Quad 15-day DL (3/28)
03/30/14 P A.J. Griffin Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Fernando Rodriguez Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Eric O'Flaherty Elbow 60-day DL (2/17)
03/28/14 P Jarrod Parker Elbow 60-day DL (3/20), out for season

Tony's Pick: Take Texas

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