The Oakland Athletics will head east to play their division rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The game gets underway 8:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California will televise the matchup.
Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Odds
Vegas is listing Houston (-155) as the favorite over Oakland (+145). If you think this game’s total will go under 8.5 runs, Vegas is currently offering -110 odds. Taking the over will give you -110 odds. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds coming in at Athletics +1.5 runs (-150) and Astros -1.5 runs (+130).
The Astros are 2-5 straight up (SU) and 1-6 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 6.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.8 units ATS. On the other hand, the Athletics have gone 6-4 SU this year and are 4-5 against the spread. In total, the club has gained 1.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline in this young season, but have lost 1.2 units ATS.
Houston games have a 1-6 over/under record so far in 2019. Oakland has an over/under record of 3-6.
The right-handed Frankie Montas (1-0, 1.50 ERA) will get the ball for the visiting Athletics. Montas started 11 games last year and finished the season 5-4 overall with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He made two starts against the Astros in 2018 and compiled a 1-1 record against them with a 3.97 ERA and three strikeouts.
The Stros are rolling with righty Collin McHugh (0-1, 3.60 ERA) as their starter. McHugh recorded 94 strikeouts across 72 innings last year (0 starts), while finishing the season 6-2 overall with a 1.99 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP.
As a unit, Houston’s pitchers have given up 3.1 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have an ERA of 3.32, a WHIP of 0.96 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 11.1. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.08, a WHIP of 0.75 and a K/9 of 13.0. In three games against divisional foes, Astros starters have an ERA of 4.32 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.24.
The Houston hitters have produced 2.1 runs per contest, including 1.6 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .231/.301/.331 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
Outfielders George Springer and Josh Reddick have led the Astros’ hitters this year. Springer is hitting .308/.387/.538 with eight hits, five RBIs and three runs scored, while Reddick’s line sits at .375/.412/.375 with six hits and zero RBIs.
In the other dugout, Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 3.2 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 2.30 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 5.60 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.76, along with a K/9 of 9.39.
Athletics hitters have slashed .231/.308/.405 on their way to 4.1 runs scored per game this season, including over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Shortstop Marcus Semien and outfielder Stephen Piscotty have led Oakland’s hitters. Semien is hitting .333/.429/.472 with 12 hits, three RBIs and seven runs scored. Piscotty is hitting .282/.364/.487 with 11 hits, two homers, nine RBIs and three runs scored.
The Athletics have lost 0.1 units and are 2-2 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in one of those games, compared to three that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 5.8 units and are 0-4 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in one of those games, compared to three that’ve cashed the under.
Athletics vs. Astros Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- The Astros went 12-7 SU against the Athletics in 2018.
- The Athletics have won five of their last six games SU while the Astros have lost five of their last six SU.
- The Athletics’ bullpen managed 3.94 ERA against the Astros last year.
- The Athletics have a total OPS of .714 this season and an OPS of .637 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS sits at .668 overall and their left / right split is nearly identical.
