The set-up: The Texas Rangers opened 2017 by getting swept at home in a three-game series with the Indians but picked up their first win of the new season with last night's 10-5 win over the 2-3 Oakland A's. Texas scored eight times in the first two innings en route to the easy triumph. Nomar Mazara is off to a tremendous start for the Rangers as he is batting .588 with two HRs and nine RBI (he had a grand slam and six RBI last night). Khris Davis appears intent on proving that last season was no fluke, as he has three HRs in five games, after setting career highs with 42 HRs and 102 RBI in 2016 (his first season with Oakland, after spending three years in the National League with Milwaukee).

The pitching matchup: Kendall Graveman (1-0 & 3.00 ERA) had a solid season debut on Opening Day against the Angels, picking up the victory after allowing two runs and striking out seven over six innings. He is looking to post his second win in two starts this season, after needing 10 outings to hit the mark last year (Graveman was 10-11 with a 4.11 ERA in 2016 / Oakland was 14-17 in his starts). He's made four career starts against the Rangers, going 1-2 with a 6.35 ERA (team is 1-3). Yu Darvish (0-0 & 5.68 ERA) allowed four runs in 6 1/3 innings in starting Texas' season-opener. He also issued five walks, which was one shy of his career high. Darvish has not been very good against the A's in his career, going 3-9 with a 4.64 ERA in 14 starts versus the Athletics (Rangers are 4-10).

The pick: Despite Dravish's poor numbers against the A's, it's hard to overlook the fact that Texas was MLB's biggest moneymaker last season, going plus-$2932, more than $1300 better than second-place Baltimore (Rangers were 53-28, plus-$1873 at home). Meanwhile, the A's ranked 27th in the moneyline standings in 2016, at minus-$1478. Make Texas an 8* play.