The set-up: The Oakland Athletics begin a nine-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Monday. The Athletics head to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex having won six of their last seven games, after Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Red Sox. That followed Sean Manaea's Saturday no-hitter in which the A's won 3-0. Khris Davis continued his strong performance at the plate on Sunday, delivering an RBI single in the first inning and a three-run homer in the eighth to give him hits in 10 of his last 11 games. Posting back-to-back victories over the best team in the major leagues has to give Oakland (now 11-11), some confidence as the A's begin their nine-game road trip. Texas halted its three-game slide on Sunday with a 7-4 win over Seattle in which Joey Gallo and Isiah Kiner-Falefa drove in two runs apiece. The victory also ended a six-game skid at home for the Rangers, who have not seen much go right through their first 23 games of the season (Texas checks in at 8-15, already eight games back of the first-place Astros in the AL West).

The pitching matchup: Oakland will send Trevor Cahill (1-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound, while Texas will counter with lefty Matt Moore (1-3, 5.59 ERA). Cahill's 2018 debut debut came just this past Tuesday, when he picked up a victory over the Chicago White Sox after striking out eight and scattering five hits over seven scoreless innings. Cahill began the 2018 season with Triple-A Nashville after signing a one-year contract in March. He has enjoyed success against Texas in his career, going 10-4 with a 2.69 ERA in 17 career starts. His 10 victories are his most versus any opponent. Moore is coming off the best of his four starts this season, a win at Tampa Bay on Tuesday in which he allowed an unearned run and five hits over seven innings. Signing Moore off last season's horrific year was a head-scratcher. He was 6-15 (5.52 ERA) with the Giants and his minus-$1223 moneyline mark (Giants were 10-21 in his starts), was among the worst of all starters. He's had big issues at home in the early going, surrendering 13 runs (12 earned) on 19 hits and seven walks over 12 1/3 in three starts (8.76 ERA), all losses.

The pick: Cahill looked sharp in his 2018 debut plus has that excellent career mark against the Rangers, so why not take the A's? After all, not only has Moore struggled badly in his first three home starts for his latest team but in five career starts against Oakland, he is 1-2 with a horrid 7.07 ERA. Want more? Texas is 3-10 at home to open 2018, allowing 6.38 RPG! Make Oakland a 10* play.