The Oakland Athletics will look to stave off their fourth straight loss when they play host to the Houston Astros at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The first pitch is scheduled for 10:07 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California will broadcast the action.
Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Odds
Houston (-150) is entering this one as the favorite over Oakland (+140) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this night game at 7.5 runs (-115 for the over and -105 for the under). The game’s runline odds sit at -105 for taking the Astros -1.5 runs and -115 for the Athletics +1.5.
The Athletics are 29-28 straight up (SU) and 26-30 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 1.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 4.1 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total went over in four of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, have gone 38-20 SU this year and are 32-25 ATS. Overall, the club has accumulated 4.6 units for moneyline gamblers and 6.4 units ATS. Houston is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Athletics games have had an over/under record of 28-25-3 so far in 2019. Houston has been a decent under bet with a total record of 24-32-1.
Right-hander Justin Verlander will get the nod for Houston. Verlander is 8-2 with a 2.38 ERA and 95 strikeouts. He has yet to face Oakland this year, but he made three starts against the Athletics in 2018, posting a 2-0 record against them with a 3.44 ERA and 19 strikeouts.
The Athletics will put the ball in the left hand of Brett Anderson (6-3, 3.86 ERA, 1.37 WHIP), who’s got 32 punchouts and 24 walks this season. Anderson made two starts against the Astros in 2018, compiling a 0-2 record with a 19.06 ERA.
Oakland’s pitchers have yielded 4.4 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has a 4.19 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.11 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 9.0 K/9. In 25 games against AL West foes, Athletics starters have an ERA of 4.86 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.40.
The Oakland hitters are putting up 4.9 runs per contest, including 4.9 per game against divisional foes and 5.6 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .243/.303/.514 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Athletics’ offense has been led by shortstop Marcus Semien and third baseman Matt Chapman. Semien is hitting .262/.354/.415 with seven home runs, 25 RBIs, 36 runs and five steals, and Chapman is hitting .270 with 15 homers, 34 RBIs and 36 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.5 runs per game and its starters own a 3.70 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.08 K/9. The bullpen has managed an outstanding ERA of just 2.88, along with a K-per-9 of 9.76.
Astros hitters have slashed .274/.352/.486 on their way to 5.1 runs scored per game in 2019, including 6.2 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer have led Houston’s offense. Brantley is hitting .329/.384/.542 with 10 home runs, 36 RBIs and 30 runs scored, while Springer (.308/.389/.643) is up to 17 homers, 43 RBIs and 41 runs scored.
The Astros have gained 5.7 units and are 11-8 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in seven of those games, as opposed to 12 that’ve hit the under against lefty starters. On the other hand, the Athletics have lost 8.7 units and are 16-23 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 20 of those games, compared to 17 that’ve gone under.
Astros at Athletics MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Houston has logged 18 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Oakland has 23 XBH over its last five.
- The Astros have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games, including four over their last five.
- The Astros have a total OPS of .838 this season, including an OPS of .892 when facing left-handed pitchers. The Athletics’ OPS stands at .754 overall and .850 against southpaws.
- Houston has recorded 19.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 18.8 over its last five.
- The Astros have won three of their last four games SU.
