MLB.TV Free Game of the Day Betting Picks for Rangers-Athletics (5/6/24)

The lengthy MLB season can cause some games to get lost in the shuffle, but MLB.TV provides fans with a Free Game of the Day throughout the regular season that can also be seen on FanDuel TV+ here, or also available on Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, Fire TV, and FanDuel Sportsbook.

Why not add to the viewing excitement by getting in on the MLB odds over at FanDuel Sportsbook?

For this article, we've got you covered with a betting guide for each Free Game of the Day. With that, let's take a look at some of the best bets for today's free game.

Note: Lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All stats come from FanGraphs and Baseball Savant unless noted otherwise. Please check here to make sure you're seeing the most updated projections.

MLB Betting Picks

Rangers vs. Athletics Betting Odds: Spread, Total, and Moneyline

• Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
• Spread: Rangers -1.5 (+126)
• Total: 7.5
• Moneyline:
  • Rangers: -138
  • Athletics: +118

Best Bet

Rangers Moneyline (-138)

The Texas Rangers (19-16) and Oakland Athletics (17-18) will kick off a four-game series this evening, and I'd look for the Rangers to take the first game at the Coliseum.

Although Oakland sits just two games behind Texas in the AL West, the A's struggle with a -23 run differential while the Rangers own a +24 run differential, which speaks a bit more to the discrepancy between these teams.

A pair of lefties will be on the bump in Alex Wood and Andrew Heaney.

Heaney has let up a disheartening 17 ER through 30.0 IP, which makes for a 5.10 ERA. The bulk of his shortcomings come via the long ball, as evidenced by his 1.50 HR/9 (and 1.40 HR/9 in 2023) in contrast to a fairly solid 1.10 WHIP.

It's a bit shocking to see that Oakland has hit the third-most home runs (44) this season, so there's definitely some room for Heaney to get dinged up.

With that being said, the A's active roster has posted a .232 BA (second-worst), .293 OBP (second-worst), 30.5% hard-hit rate (sixth-lowest), and a 26.1% K% (second-highest) against left-handed pitchers since the start of 2023.

Brent Rooker and Tyler Nevin are the notable A's in good spots. Past them, this A's lineup isn't getting a whole lot done against lefties. It doesn't hurt that dating back to last season, Rooker is striking out at a 32.7% rate against southpaws.

While the Rangers don't tout great numbers against lefties, they fare better than Oakland and have the easier matchup in Alex Wood.

Through seven starts, Wood has a 6.32 ERA, 6.10 xERA (tied for second-worst among starters who have pitched at least 30 innings), and an unimpressive 19.0% K%. He's negatively supplemented this with 1.44 HR/9 and a whopping 1.99 WHIP (worst).

Texas' active roster has been sporting a 33.2% hard-hit rate (ninth-best) versus lefties since 2023. Adolis Garcia, Jonah Heim, and Ezequiel Duran are in for great matchups against Wood, while Marcus Semien and Corey Seager could see some positive regression against a pitcher who is letting opponents hit at the highest rate in the majors (.344 BA allowed).

numberFire's game projections give Texas a 60.6% win probability. That probability translates to -154 odds, so I'll lay the -138 moneyline odds.

Best Prop

Adolis Garcia To Hit A Home Run (+450)

Adolis Garcia is due for a long ball and is in a great spot to hit just that tonight.

Before we dive into this matchup, let's take a look at the value of these +450 odds.

Garcia has hit a home run in 23.5% of his games this season. And in 2023, Garcia hit at least one home run in 24.3% of his games. These +450 odds, meanwhile, suggest just an 18.18% probability.

I love the value of Garcia's home run prop, especially given the matchup against Wood.

Since 2023, Garcia has been sporting a .525 SLG, .259 ISO, 143 wRC+, 20.8% HR/FB ratio, and 37.6% hard-hit rate against left-handed pitchers.

These are awesome, team-leading power numbers and could hold up against Wood, who has sacrificed a .476 SLG and 1.15 HR/9 to righties since the start of last season.

Wood has been off to an even worse start in this campaign, ceding a .562 SLG, 1.59 HR/9, and 37.1% hard-hit rate to righties. Pair that with a 42.0% fly-ball rate allowed to this handedness, and we could see Garcia get the better of this matchup.

I'd consider backing Garcia To Record An RBI (+125), too.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.