Texas Rangers (60-62, second in the AL West) vs. Athletics (47-74, fifth in the AL West)West Sacramento, California; Friday, 9:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rangers: Kumar Rocker (4-9, 4.46 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 103 strikeouts); Athletics: Gage Jump (5-7, 4.46 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 84 strikeouts)BOTTOM LINE: The Athletics will try to stop their three-game slide when they take on the Texas Rangers.The Athletics are 47-74 overall and 21-39 at home. The Athletics have the fifth-ranked team batting average in the AL at .243.Texas has a 60-62 record overall and a 28-35 record in road games. Rangers hitters are batting a collective .242, which ranks eighth in the AL.The matchup Friday is the eighth meeting between these teams this season. The Athletics hold a 4-3 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Jeff McNeil has 13 doubles, four home runs and 36 RBIs for the Athletics. Lawrence Butler is 7 for 37 with three home runs over the last 10 games.
Joc Pederson is fourth on the Rangers with 35 extra base hits (11 doubles, two triples and 22 home runs). Brandon Nimmo is 12 for 37 with a double, two home runs and seven RBIs over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Athletics: 2-8, .216 batting average, 7.12 ERA, outscored by 37 runs
