If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be
animosity aplenty on Wednesday when the Oakland
Athletics and the Texas Rangers meet at Rangers
Ballpark.
The Athletics will pin their hopes on the pitching of
righthander Dana Eveland in this game. Eveland has a
9-8 record and a 4.09 ERA this season.
The Rangers will counter Eveland with Matt Harrison.
Lefthander Harrison has a 5.68 ERA to go along with a
8-3 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rangers listed as
123-moneyline favorites versus the Athletics, while
the game's total has not yet been posted.
Hank Blalock was 2-for-3 with a two-run homer to lead
the Rangers past the Athletics 6-4 on Tuesday night.
Texas cashed as -135 home favorites as the game played
under the 11-run total listed by oddsmakers.
Marlon Byrd went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in for
the Rangers, while Jamey Wright picked up the win in
relief of starter Dustin Nippert for Texas.
Travis Buck was 2-for-3 with a two-run dinger for
Oakland, as Alan Embree was tagged with the loss after
coming in for Athletics starter Josh Outman.
Team records:
Oakland: 75-82 SU
Texas: 76-82 SU
Oakland most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Seattle are 6-4
After playing Texas are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4<\/p>\n
Texas most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing LA Angels are 3-7
After playing Oakland are 4-6
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Oakland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Oakland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Oakland is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing on
the road against Texas
Texas is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at
home against Oakland
Texas is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Texas is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Oakland at Seattle, Friday, September 26
Texas at LA Angels, Friday, September 26<\/p>\n