An AL West clash is on tap today in Arlington. The Rangers (69-70), despite their middling record, have multiple paths towards postseason play. Winning the division or taking the American League’s final wild card spot would place Texas in the playoffs. Standing in the team’s way this afternoon are the Athletics (53-86), eager to play spoiler against their division rivals. Can the visitors pull off an upset on Wednesday?
The Rangers are favorites (-167) over the Athletics; the over/under is set at eight runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Wednesday’s showdown between the A’s and Texas on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Athletics vs. Rangers pick, best bet today
- Rangers -1.5 (+130): Lopez isn’t a bad pitcher by any means, but today’s game could prove difficult. Texas has found a way to hit lefties all season. On the other side, Bradford is capable of keeping this depleted Athletics offense in check.
Athletics vs. Rangers prediction, preview
Jacob Lopez has been a bright spot for an otherwise dismal Athletics rotation. Despite an erratic first half, the southpaw has emerged as a key contributor in recent weeks. The 28-year-old has allowed two earned runs or less in each of his previous eight appearances. Even more impressive, the majority of those appearances have come at Sacramento’s hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park. A road date at spacious Globe Life Field should make runs much harder to come by this afternoon. That’s a major boost for Lopez, who has struggled to keep the ball from elevating. His lackluster 33.3% ground ball rate sits at the eighth percentile among qualified starters.
It’s not as if Wednesday presents a massive challenge for Lopez. Texas ranks 25th in runs scored (570), 18th in home runs (155) and 19th in OPS (.715). To make matters worse, the team is averaging the seventh-fewest runs per game at home (4.07). The continued absence of Josh Jung (calf) has only made things more difficult on this lineup. Still, there’s reason for optimism in Arlington. The Rangers have scored 54 runs over their last ten contests, seventh-most in the majors during that time. To boot, they’ve recorded the fifth-best OPS in baseball against left-handed pitching (.757).
As for Texas, Cody Bradford will get the nod in this one. It’s been a solid return to form for the lefty, sidelined for most of 2026 due to UCL surgery. Over five starts, the 28-year-old has posted a 3.42 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 13 strikeouts. Despite a lack of whiffs, the third-year pro is one of the best at inducing fly balls. He’s also done a great job at limiting base on balls, as evidenced by a career 1.8 BB/9 ratio. Bradford is a completely different pitcher at home, buoyed by Globe Life Field’s deep dimensions. The veteran has a career 2.92 ERA at the venue, compared to a 5.83 ERA on the road.
It’s been a difficult summer for the Athletics, plagued by injuries to some of their best hitters. Nick Kurtz (thumb), Jacob Wilson (shoulder) and Shea Langeliers (knee) are all sidelined at the moment. Unsurprisingly, this group’s offensive production has taken a nosedive as a result. Since July 1st, the club has scored the fourth-fewest runs in the majors (208). To boot, the A’s are averaging the third-fewest runs per game in baseball on the road (4.03). Over his last 21.1 innings pitched vs. the Athletics, Bradford has allowed five earned runs (2.11 ERA). That includes a four-inning, two-run showing in Sacramento on August 16th.
Lopez gives the struggling A’s a shred of hope going into today’s matchup. However, Bradford might be the most adept arm in this matchup. Texas’ knack for hitting left-handed pitching could play a role in this one as well. At home, the Rangers are more than capable of breaking Wednesday’s game wide open.
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