Dallas Keuchel (5-0, 1.87 ERA) is on the hill for the Houston Astros (26-14) as they square off against Jesse Hahn (1-3, 4.42 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (14-27) in the last of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won the last game 6-4 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 2:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 20 and can be seen on ROOT-SW and MLB Network.
Keuchel is 1-2 with a 3.19 ERA in his appearances against the Athletics, but goes up against a quality Oakland offense which is batting .259 this season. Jose Altuve (.319, 22 Rs, 5 HRs, 24 RBIs, 14 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 5. Hahn went 6.1 innings, surrendering two runs (two unearned), striking out five and walking two in a 7-6 defeat to the White Sox in his last outing. Josh Reddick (.315, 19 Rs, 6 HRs, 29 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Houston is a -147 favorite against Oakland and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Astros have an overall money line of +1,095 and a record as the favorite of 10-8. Houston is an impressive 5-2 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Astros lead the MLB in home runs with 60. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 39 bases. As for the pitchers, the Astros are the top team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.14 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Oakland has a 6-8 record and an overall money line of -1,714. They have played poorly as the underdog with a 5-6 record against AL West foes, and a 2-8 record SU. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Athletics are fifth in the AL on the road with an average of 7.9 hits allowed per away game. The Athletics have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.1 strikeouts per road game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Astros lead the season series, 5-3. The Astros have a 15-9 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Hahn takes the mound. Keuchel (LHP) will be on the hill against the Athletics, who have inferior records against left-handed starting pitchers on the road and overall of 0-3 and 1-8, respectively.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Houston is 12-5, while Oakland is 6-16.
The Astros managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Athletics who are coming in with a 7-8 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 2-16. The Astros have an 8-10 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Houston has hit 60 this season. Oakland ranks 11th with 38 home runs.
Ranking 15th, Houston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.46 per game. Oakland ranks in the top five at third with 9.08.
Houston and Oakland both rank in the top half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Houston sits at 11th with an OPS of .722 and Oakland ranks 14th with an OPS of .720.
The Athletics are 2-16 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Astros are 11-7 when they allow at least one homer.
