MLB Tipping Sheet: Rangers to beat Oakland with daylight to spare

Yu Darvish of the Texas Rangers

Richard Fletcher is on Major League Baseball tipping duty today and here you can read his views on the best of tonight's bets...

Oakland Athletics @ Texas Rangers - 01:05 BST

After last night's thrilling 5-4 ninth inning victory for the Rangers, these AL West contenders will go at it again at Rangers Ballpark. The 86-67 Athletics will have Tommy Milone (13-10, 3.86 ERA) on the mound, who, whilst a strong performer at home this year, has been less-than-successful away from the Coliseum with a 6-6 record and an ERA of 5.17. The division-leading Rangers (91-62) start Yu Darvish (16-9, 3.90 ERA), who has had a breakout rookie season, and he was immense against the Angels last time allowing just one earned run in eight dominant innings. Go with the all-round stronger Rangers to win by at least two here.

Toronto Blue Jays @ Baltimore Orioles - 00:05 BST

In this AL East clash, the 88-66 Orioles host the 67-86 Blue Jays again after yesterday's honours-shared double-header. Whilst the Orioles are still in a very strong position for at least a Wild Card spot, the Blue Jays have been poor in September going 7-15, not helped by pitching from the likes of Aaron Laffey (3-6, 4.80 ERA), who has lost four-straight decisions and has been pulled before the fourth inning in successive games now. Joe Saunders (8-12, 4.08 ERA) has started to show some of his old form since his trade to the Orioles, and he allowed just one earned run in eight innings in a no-decision against the Mariners last time out. Expect the Orioles to cover the -1.5 run line.

Kansas City Royals @ Detroit Tigers - 00:05 BST

Whilst the 70-83 Royals are now out of the playoff picture, they can still determine the fate of their AL Central rivals Chicago White Sox and Detroit. Outplayed last night in a 2-6 defeat, the Royals go with Bruce Chen (11-12, 5.22 ERA) who tends to rack up wins despite an often hefty ERA, though he was economical on his last outing, where he threw for over six scoreless innings in the win against the White Sox. Anibal Sanchez (8-13, 4.14 ERA) starts for 81-72 Detroit, though he broke his run of five-straight quality starts versus the A's last time, he did, however, throw seven innings for just one earned run against the Royals in August. Back Detroit tonight.

Recommended Bets

Back Texas Rangers -1.5 Runs @ 2.01/1
Back Baltimore -1.5 Runs @ 1.910/11
Back Detroit @ 1.528/15