The Houston Astros will be taking on their division rival Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The matchup will begin at 4:05 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to NBC Sports – California to catch the action.
Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics Odds
Vegas has listed Oakland (+135) as the underdog to Houston (-145). Gamblers can bet on the game’s total with odds sitting at -110 for over 7.5 runs and -110 for under 7.5. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds sitting at +100 for the Astros -1.5 runs and -120 for the Athletics +1.5.
The Athletics are 74-49 straight up (SU) and 62-60 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 29.8 units for moneyline bettors and 0.1 units (ATS). Oakland has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven. The Astros have gone 74-49 SU this year and are 61-61 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 12.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 6.2 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread only once in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Athletics games have a 55-60-7 over/under record in 2018. The Astros have been a good under bet with a total record of 52-64-6.
Justin Verlander is getting the nod for the visiting Astros. The right-handed Verlander is 11-8 with a 2.52 ERA and 217 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with 13 strikeouts and a 2.08 ERA against Oakland this year (two starts).
The Athletics will turn to lefty Sean Manaea (11-8, 3.44 ERA) to the mound. Manaea has 102 punchouts and 31 walks to his name, as well as a 1.04 WHIP. Manaea is 1-1 with 14 strikeouts and a 3.78 ERA over three starts against Houston this year.
Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.3 runs per game and its starters own a 3.08 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.37 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.10, along with a K-per-9 of 10.87.
The Astros offense has slashed .253/.330/.426 on its way to 4.9 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Houston’s hitters have been led by second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman, who’ve collectively belted 32 home runs. Altuve is slashing .329/.392/.464 with nine home runs, 46 RBIs, 64 runs and 14 steals. Bregman (.277/.382/.514) is up to 23 homers, 75 RBIs and 78 runs scored.
For the home team, Oakland’s pitching staff has allowed 4.1 runs per game overall this year. Its starting pitching staff has a 4.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 6.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.36 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 9.1 K/9. In 53 divisional games, Athletics starters have an ERA of 5.07 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.72.
Oakland’s offense has produced 4.7 runs per outing, including 4.5 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .251/.325/.440 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Athletics’ hitters have been led by shortstop Marcus Semien and second baseman Jed Lowrie. Semien is slashing .262/.321/.386 with 10 home runs, 45 RBIs, 71 runs and 13 steals, and Lowrie’s line is .272/.351/.468 with 19 homers, 76 RBIs and 54 runs.
The Astros have lost 11.2 units and are 21-26 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in 20 of those games, compared to 25 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Athletics have netted 22.1 units and are 39-39 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 37 of those games, compared to 38 that’ve gone under.
Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- Houston has recorded 14 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Oakland has 26 XBH over its last five.
- The Astros have lost seven of their last eight games SU while the Athletics have won six of their last seven.
- Houston has posted 16.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 16.0 over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
