Rangers vs. Athletics: Game 2, prediction, odds, injuries and picks

The Texas Rangers bounced back from their home series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers by taking the first game of their three-game set against the Athletics on Tuesday. The 8-5 win marked Texas’ highest run total at Sutter Health Park, which has developed a reputation as a hitter-friendly venue.

Bruce Bochy's squad will attempt to win only their second road series of the year tonight when they send right-hander Kumar Rocker to the mound, with the rookie looking to score back-to-back wins. The Athletics will counter with JP Sears, who has had success against the Rangers in the past.

Rangers vs. Athletics recent form and records

Texas

Tuesday's win against the A's was the Rangers' fifth in their last seven games. At 14-9, Texas currently sits atop the AL West standings with a two-game lead over the Houston Astros.

The results have been positive for MLB bettors, with the Rangers banking $389 worth of profit for their $100-per-bet supporters. However, the team has proven to be a losing investment on the road, where they have won only six of 10 games, equating to a -$147 return on investment.

Athletics

The Athletics have proven to be a losing proposition so far this season. Sitting three games under .500 at 10-13, the A's have cost their supporters $267 overall, with the team producing consecutive wins on only three occasions. Their longest win streak is just three games.

Losers in three of their last four, the Athletics haven't been able to figure out how to win in their new home. They've managed two wins through 10 tries, resulting in a -$570 ROI. On the flipside, the team has won eight of 13 on the road ($303).

Injuries

Texas

Jack Leiter SP 15 Day IL - Finger
Jon Gray SP 60 Day IL - Wrist
Josh Sborz RP 60 Day IL - Shoulder
Cody Bradford RP 60 Day IL - Elbow

Athletics

Jeffrey Springs SP Day To Day - Hamstring
Zack Gelof 2B 10 Day IL - Hand
Michel Otanez SP 15 Day IL - Shoulder
Brady Basso RP 60 Day IL - Shoulder
Ken Waldichuk SP 60 Day IL - Elbow
Luis Medina SP 60 Day IL - Elbow

Starting Pitchers

Kumar Rocker (1-2, 6.38 ERA in 2025)

Allowed 23 hits (2 HR) and 13 ER with a 14:4 K/BB ratio in four 2025 starts.
Tossed 7.0 IP of 5 hit (0 HR) and 3 ER ball with 8:0 K/BB ratio vs. Los Angeles last start.
0-2 with a 12.79 ERA and 5:4 K/BB ratio in 6.1 IP on the road in 2025.
This will be his first career start against the Athletics.

JP Sears (2-2, 3.13 ERA in 2025)

Allowed 20 hits (3 HR) and 8 ER with an 18:5 K/BB ratio in four 2025 starts.
Tossed 6.0 IP of 3 hit (0 HR) and 0 ER ball with 2:2 K/BB ratio vs. Chicago last start.
4-1 with a 4.15 ERA and 40:14 K/BB ratio in 43.1 career IP thrown vs. Texas.
0-1 with a 6.75 ERA and 7:1 K/BB ratio in 4.0 IP at home in 2025.

Must-Watch Hitters

Texas

You never like chasing outcomes, but Marcus Semien checks the boxes on a number of fronts heading into the second game of this series. The A's Triple-A park did his bat some good last night, allowing him to reach the cheap seats for the first time in 13 games. He also produced his first multiple-hit game of the season.

Making his player props even more attractive for tonight is his body of work against JP Sears. The righty is 6-for-22 lifetime against the lefty, but two of those hits have left the yard. He's also taken a pair of walks and struck out only three times.

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Athletics

The honeymoon period for Tyler Soderstrom has ended, with the power bat recently going missing. The lefty has failed to scratch out a hit in his last 12 at-bats over the team’s last three games, with seven strikeouts.

As dominant as Kumar Rocker has been against right-handed hitters, it’s been a completely different story against left-handed batters. He’s been ripped for a .410/.429/.564/.993 slash line over 42 plate appearances, and his strikeout-per-walk rate plummets to 2.00 from 5.00 against righties.

Expect the A's slugger to break out of his slump tonight.

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Rangers vs. Athletics Betting Odds

Wednesday 4/23	Money Line	Run Line	Total Runs
Texas Rangers	-108	-1.5 +150	O 9.5 -102
Athletics	-112	+1.5 -180	U 9.5 -118

Rangers vs. Athletics expert picks and game prediction

While not thrilled with Doug Eddings getting the assignment behind the plate due to his enormous strike zone, it still won’t be enough to prohibit each team from putting crooked numbers on the board. Sutter Health Park has seen the over hit in seven of the 10 games played within the venue.

Last night's matchup cleared the 10-run total in the seventh inning, and with the home team sending a handful of left-handed bats to the plate tonight, it could soar past the number even earlier. The A’s are well-positioned to exceed expectations at DraftKings Sportsbook. Look for the team to take that challenge head-on.

Rangers vs. Athletics Prediction: Athletics win 9-5

About the author

Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from the University of Kansas with dreams of becoming an orthopedic surgeon and team physician. However, his career path took a different turn as he ventured into sports handicapping, writing, and editing.

While preparing for the MCAT, Mike applied to contribute to a site offering free sports picks, which proved to be a pivotal step. His success there garnered interest from larger platforms and startups. Despite his efforts, organic chemistry derailed his medical school ambitions, and he chose to shift fully into sports betting and fantasy sports content creation.

Over a 20-year career, Mike has navigated the highs and lows of professional sports betting. His experience spans working on a late-night sports talk radio show, covering the Chicago Rush in the Arena Football League, managing a content distribution company, owning and operating a vape shop, and creating one of the first profitable DFS affiliate sites—an endeavor that helped buy his current home.

When offline, Mike enjoys working out his green thumb, coaching his son’s sports teams, hosting tea parties with his daughter, and relaxing with his wife and friends. A die-hard Kansas Jayhawks fan, he also proudly bleeds Cubbie blue.

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Edited by Mike Rose