This is an 8* play on the Oakland A's.

The Oakland A's are slumping, coming into Texas as losers of six of their last seven. Half of those losses came in one run ball games though, and I like their chances of turning things around against a Rangers team that is just 2-7 at home.

Scott Kazmir will toe the slab for the visitors, and he's been pitching very well this season. Kazmir (2-0, 0.99 ERA) pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out seven in a no decision against Houston his last time out. He's 3-1 with a 3.91 ERA in four starts at Texas over the last three seasons.

The Rangers will hand the ball to Colby Lewis, who has never had a lot of success pitching at home in Texas. Lewis (1-2, 3.75 ERA) allowed four runs on seven hits over 7 1/3 innings in a loss to Houston in his only home start this season. He was 3-9 with a 5.90 ERA in 16 starts in Texas last season, and that trend holds true dating back the last three seasons.

Texas owns the major league's worst team batting average (.210).

Take OAK.

GL,

Jesse Schule