Vegas Play of the Day: Texas Rangers at Oakland A’s

By Case Keefer (contact)

Tuesday, April 7, 2015 | 12:14 p.m.

Without as large of a customer base as football or basketball, sports books thin out during baseball season.

The South Point-lined Play of the Day sticks around, though, with the hopes of padding our $10,000 starting bankrolls with action on the diamond.

Texas Rangers plus-140 at Oakland A’s: $286 to win $400

The second biggest underdog on baseball’s opening day cashed. What’s to stop day two’s biggest underdog from coming through?

There’s more to like about the Rangers than there was the Mets, which went off at a similar plus-150 price against the Nationals and doomed the Play of the Day with a 3-1 victory.

‘Tis the season for overreactions. Everyone seems ready to write off Texas for good after it managed all of one hit in Tuesday’s 8-0 setback at Oakland.

The Rangers have their problems and don’t look like playoff contenders, but they’re going to be able to hit this season with an above-average lineup. Their offense may come alive as soon as tonight.

Sonny Gray stifled them last night, but Oakland’s No. 1 starter was expected to be one of the better pitchers in baseball this year. The same isn’t true for No. 2 starter Jesse Hahn, who takes the mound tonight.

While Hahn is promising, no one even knew he’d have a spot in the rotation going into spring training. He pitched well in exhibitions, but it’s different when the games count.

The Rangers will test Hahn and stay close, making the high price a bargain.

Standings: Keefer (73-71-2, $10,607), Bern (71-66-1, $9,646), Brewer (64-79-3, $1,845)

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.