I understand the Rangers, losers of 13 straight road games, are tough to back. But there's value to them here being on the road with the extra at bat getting 1 1/2 runs against Oakland, which is just 6-6 in its last 12 games.

I'm not a fan of Rangers starter Jordan Lyles, but he does eat up innings. He's reached at least the sixth inning in six of his last eight starts. He's surrendered two or fewer runs during five of those past eight starts. So he's not a bottom tier pitcher. Oakland ranks 24th in batting at .234 and that includes the A's 16-hit outburst against Texas on Saturday.

The A's are minus suspended outfielder Ramon Laureano. Teams often rest some starters on Sunday so Lyles may have a few rest stops in Oakland's batting order.

Oakland starter James Kaprielian had been pitching well until his last start. That came on July 27 at pitcher-friendly Petco Park. Kaprielian gave up six earned runs to the Padres in just 4 1/3 innings. He went on the injured list the next day with a shoulder injury. This is his first start since then.