Texas Rangers vs
Oakland AthleticsPredictions & Preview

Rangers vs. Athletics: AL West Showdown Highlights Sunday's MLB Action

The 2025 MLB betting action continues with a full 15-game card on the last day of August, including an AL West showdown between the Rangers and Athletics at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, CA. The Rangers have won six of their first 11 encounters with the Athletics this season, with the series coming to a close in this final game of their 13-game regular-season matchups. The first pitch is set for 4:05 PM ET, with the Rangers opening as -164 moneyline favorites and a total of 9.5 runs. Stay tuned for our detailed Rangers vs. Athletics prediction and more MLB picks for Sunday's slate.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Rangers -149 | Athletics +130
• Spread: Rangers -1.5 (+105) | Athletics +1.5 (-125)
• Total: Over/Under 9.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Texas will win straight-up is 60%.

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers defeated the Athletics 5-2 in the opening game of their series last Friday. Rookie Michael Helman hit a two-run homer, Jonah Heim added a solo homer, and Jack Leiter pitched six innings of two-run ball for his ninth win of the season. The Rangers have won six of their last seven games, scoring 51 runs during that stretch. However, they suffered a setback when star shortstop Corey Seager was injured in a recent game. Despite their recent success, the Rangers are still 3.5 games behind the bottom wild card spot. Jacob deGrom is set to pitch for the Rangers on Sunday, carrying a 10-6 record with a 2.79 ERA this season. DeGrom has struggled in his recent outings but has a strong track record against the Athletics.

Oakland Athletics

The Athletics ended their three-game winning streak last Friday with a loss, where rookie 1B Nick Kurtz exited the game with an oblique injury. Kurtz, who is having a strong season with 27 home runs, is considered day-to-day. Despite recent successes, the Athletics are unlikely to make the postseason as they are currently 9.5 games behind the bottom wild card. Pitcher J.T. Ginn will start on Sunday, carrying a 2-5 record with a 4.96 ERA in 2025. Ginn has struggled this month but will face the Rangers for the third time this season.

Rangers' Offense Looks to Challenge J.T. Ginn in Matchup Against Athletics

It is a challenging decision to trust J.T. Ginn in this particular matchup, as the current Rangers have had considerable success against him, going 12-for-31 with extra-base hits. The Rangers' lineup has performed impressively over the past 10 days, with a slash line of .297/.363/.516 and a 144 wRC+ in 347 plate appearances. Specifically against right-handed pitchers, the Rangers have excelled with a .310/.363/.505 triple-slash and a 142 wRC+ during this time frame. On the other hand, Jacob deGrom has displayed dominance in previous matchups with the Athletics this season, notably delivering a one-run, three-hit performance in a recent victory. Considering the A's struggles with right-handed pitching, I am inclined to support the Rangers on the runline in this game.

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