The Houston Astros will be facing off against their AL West nemesis Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. MLB Network will televise the action and the game is scheduled to get going at 3:35 p.m. ET.
Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics Odds
Vegas has listed Oakland (+155) as the underdog to Houston (-165). The total is sitting at 8 runs and gamblers can wager on the over or the under for -110. Runline odds sit at -115 for taking the Astros -1.5 runs and -105 for the Athletics +1.5 runs.
The Astros have gone 44-25 SU this year and are 37-31 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 2.4 units for moneyline gamblers and 4.6 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Athletics, on the other hand, are 34-34 SU and 31-36 ATS. They’ve gained 1.1 units for moneyline bettors while earning 6.3 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Oakland games have an over/under record of 30-33-4 so far in 2018. Astros games have gone under 35 times, gone over 29 times and pushed on four occasions.
The right-handed Justin Verlander is the probable starter for the visiting Astros. Verlander is 8-2 with a 1.45 ERA and 113 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Athletics this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Athletics are turning to righty Frankie Montas (3-0, 1.25 ERA), who’s got 14 strikeouts and three walks as well as a WHIP of 0.88. Montas did not record a start against the Astros in 2017.
Houston’s pitching staff allowed 3.1 runs per game and its starters own a 2.94 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 10.15 K/9. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.94, along with a K/9 of 10.61.
The Astros offense has slashed .262/.336/.432 on its way to 5.1 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 7.6 per game over the teams last five outings (5-0 SU).
Second baseman Jose Altuve and outfielder George Springer continue to lead Houston’s offense. Altuve is hitting .336/.385/.461 with five home runs, 34 RBIs, 42 runs and 10 steals. Springer has a .293 average with 14 homers, 41 RBIs and 52 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Oakland’s pitching staff has allowed 4.4 runs per game overall this season. The clubs starting pitching staff has a 4.35 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.55 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 8.4 K/9. In 33 divisional games, Athletics starters have an ERA of 5.72 and the bullpens ERA is 4.31.
The Oakland offense has produced 4.4 runs per contest, including 3.5 per game against divisional foes and 3.6 per game over its last five. The teams hit .222/.296/.401 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien have led the Athletics hitters this year. Lowrie is slashing .280/.345/.460 with nine home runs, 42 RBIs and 26 runs scored, while Semien’s line is .260/.313/.368 with five homers, 25 RBIs and 39 runs.
The Astros have gained 3.4 units and are 24-18 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 17 of those games, compared to 22 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Athletics have netted 6.5 units and are 21-24 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 22 of those games, compared to 21 which went under the total.
Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in only two of Houston’s last seven games.
- The Athletics have dropped three of their last four games SU.
- Houston has recorded 25.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 30.4 over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games, including 11 over their last five.
