The Oakland Athletics will head east to Minute Maid Park to take on their division rival Houston Astros. The matchup will get going at 8:10 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to NBC Sports – California to catch the action.
Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros Odds
Oakland (+220) is the underdog to Houston (-240) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this one at 8.5 runs (-110 for the over and -110 for the under). You can also bet on the games spread with the current runline odds coming in at Athletics +1.5 runs (+100) and Astros -1.5 runs (-120).
The Astros are 61-31 straight up (SU) and 48-43 against the spread (ATS). The teams gained 6.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.8 units (ATS). Houston has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven. The Athletics are 50-40 SU and have gone 44-45 ATS. In total, the teams gained 10.9 units for moneyline bettors, but have lost 1.4 units ATS. Oakland’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in three of those seven.
Astros games have an over/under record of 40-46-5 so far in 2018. The Athletics have an over/under record of 43-40-6.
Right-hander Frankie Montas is getting the nod for the visiting Athletics. Montas (4-2, 3.83 ERA) has recorded 28 strikeouts in 42.1 innings so far. He’s 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA against Houston this year.
The Astros are sending righty Gerrit Cole (9-2, 2.70 ERA) to the mound. Cole has 158 strikeouts and 38 walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 0.97. Cole is 2-0 with 27 strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA over three starts against Oakland this year.
Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 4.37 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 6.62 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.59, along with a K/9 of 8.64.
Athletics hitters have slashed .247/.318/.426 on their way to 4.6 runs scored per game this year, including 3.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.2 per game over the teams last five contests (4-1 SU).
Second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien have paced Oakland’s offense. Lowrie is slashing .290/.357/.507 with 16 home runs, 62 RBIs and 40 runs scored, while Semien has a .249 average with seven homers, 31 RBIs and 49 runs scored.
For the home team, Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.1 runs per game overall this year. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 2.99, a WHIP of 1.06 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.3. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.62, a WHIP of 1.02 and a K/9 of 10.8. In 37 games against AL West opponents, Astros starters have an ERA of 2.93 and the bullpens ERA is 2.62.
The Houston hitters have produced 5.1 runs per contest, including 5.3 per game against divisional foes and 6.8 per game over their last five. The teams hit .298/.410/.488 over its last five contests and is 5-0 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman have led the Astros hitters this year. Altuve is hitting .338/.404/.488 with nine home runs, 44 RBIs, 61 runs and 13 steals, while Bregman’s line sits at .281/.384/.519 with 17 homers, 57 RBIs, 59 runs and eight stolen bases.
The Athletics have gained 12.1 units and are 28-31 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 29 of those games, compared to 27 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 12.9 units and are 33-24 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 26 of those games, compared to 27 which went under the total.
Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Oakland has recorded 21 extra-base hits over its last five games. Houston has 18 XBH over its last five.
- The Athletics have won four of their last five games SU.
- Houston has posted 20.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 26.8 over its last five.
- The Athletics have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
