The Oakland Athletics will play their divisional rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California will be televising the matchup.
Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Houston (-170) as the favorite over Oakland (+160). The total is sitting at 8.5 runs and bettors can take the over for even money (+100) and the under for -120. Runline odds sit at -135 for betting the Athletics +1.5 runs and +115 for the Astros -1.5.
The Athletics have gone 79-53 SU this year and are 68-63 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 31.7 units for moneyline gamblers and 3.2 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 81-50 SU and 66-64 ATS. They’ve lost 9.6 units for moneyline bettors and 4.0 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in five of those seven.
Houston games have an over/under record of 57-66-7 in 2018. Oakland has also been a decent under bet with a total record of 57-65-9.
Edwin Jackson will get the nod for the visiting Athletics. The right-handed Jackson (4-3, 2.97 ERA) has recorded 45 strikeouts in 63.2 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with two strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA against Houston this year.
The Astros are turning to righty Charlie Morton (13-3, 3.05 ERA), who has 182 strikeouts and 57 walks as well as a 1.17 WHIP. Morton is 0-0 with nine strikeouts and a 2.89 ERA across two starts against Oakland this year.
Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 4.08 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 6.58 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.35, along with a WHIP of 1.22.
The Athletics offense has slashed .251/.324/.438 on its way to 4.8 runs scored per game this year, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Shortstop Marcus Semien and second baseman Jed Lowrie continue to lead Oakland’s hitters. Semien is slashing .260/.320/.386 with 11 home runs, 48 RBIs, 75 runs and 13 stolen bases, while Lowrie (.273/.354/.473) has produced 21 homers, 82 RBIs and 58 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Houston’s pitchers have yielded 3.3 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have a 3.16 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 3.02, a WHIP of 1.04 and a K/9 of 10.7. In 64 games against AL West foes, Astros starters have an ERA of 3.45 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.68.
The Houston hitters have produced 5.0 runs per outing, including 5.0 per game against divisional foes and 8.2 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .342/.403/.556 over its last five games and is 5-0 SU during that stretch.
The Astros’ offense has been led by second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman. Altuve is hitting .332/.397/.471 with 10 home runs, 50 RBIs, 69 runs and 15 steals, while Bregman’s line is .289/.390/.528 with 25 homers, 83 RBIs and 88 runs.
The Athletics have gained 23.6 units and are 43-41 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 39 of those games, compared to 41 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 1.4 units and are 42-38 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 34 of those games, as opposed to 41 which went under the total.
Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – UNDER
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
Oakland has logged 22 extra-base hits over its last five games. Houston has 23 XBH over its last five.
Houston has posted 26.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 33.8 over its last five.
The Athletics have hit 20 home runs in their last 10 games, including 12 over their last five.
+++++
