Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros will head west to square off against their divisional rival Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. NBC Sports – California will televise the matchup and the game gets underway at 10:07 p.m. ET.
Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Odds
Las Vegas has Oakland (+140) as the underdog to Houston (-150). If you’re thinking the game’s total is going to finish under 8.5 runs scored, then Vegas is currently offering -105 odds. Picking the over can give you -115 odds. There’s a runline of Astros -1.5 (-105) and Athletics +1.5 (-115) for this matchup.
The Athletics are 10-9 straight up (SU) and 11-8 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 0.3 units for moneyline bettors and 2.4 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in all seven of them. The Astros, on the other hand, are 11-5 SU and have gone 6-10 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 3.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline in this young season, but have lost 3.8 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Oakland games have an over/under record of 11-8 so far in 2019. Houston has been a decent under bet with a total record of 5-11.
Collin McHugh is getting the nod for the visiting Astros. The right-handed McHugh (2-1, 2.65 ERA) has recorded 22 punchouts in 17 innings so far. He’s 1-0 with four strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA against Oakland this year.
The Athletics are handing the ball to righty Marco Estrada (0-1, 4.87 ERA), who has 10 strikeouts and five walks as well as a 1.13 WHIP. Estrada hasn’t faced the Astros yet this year, but he made two starts against them in 2018, posting a 0-1 record with a 6.52 ERA.
Houston’s pitching staff allowed 3.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.41 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 10.33 K/9. The bullpen has managed an excellent ERA of just 2.70, along with a WHIP of 1.01.
Astros hitters have slashed .280/.352/.471 on their way to 4.2 runs scored per game this year, including 4.4 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (5-0 SU).
Houston’s offense has been led by Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley. Altuve is hitting .328/.371/.688 with seven home runs, 13 RBIs and 12 runs scored. Brantley has a .295 average with two homers, 11 RBIs and eight runs scored.
In the other dugout, Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have a 4.41 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 5.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.39 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.8 K/9. In 11 games against divisional opponents, Athletics starters have an ERA of 4.94 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.70.
The Oakland offense is putting up 5.3 runs per contest, including 4.4 per game against divisional foes and 9.2 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .316/.366/.631 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Shortstop Marcus Semien and third baseman Matt Chapman have led the Athletics’ hitters so far. Semien is slashing .338/.398/.541 with three home runs, 10 RBIs and 15 runs scored, and Chapman’s line sits at .294/.377/.574 with five homers, 12 RBIs and 10 runs.
The Astros have gained 0.2 units and are 3-7 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in three of those games, compared to seven that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Athletics have lost 2.9 units and are 6-4 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in six of those games, compared to four which went under the total.
Astros vs. Athletics Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in zero of Oakland’s last seven games.
- Oakland has posted 28.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 32.8 over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
- The Astros have a team OPS of .823 this season and an OPS of .770 against right-handed pitchers. The Athletics’ OPS stands at .792 overall and .793 versus righties.
