Mike Fiers (9-6, 4.40 ERA) and the Houston Astros (70-62) meet Ross Detwiler (1-3, 5.74 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (57-75) in the last of a three-game division series at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won the last game 3-1, and Houston leads the series 2-0. The game gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and will air on RTSW and MLBN.
In his last start, Fiers pitched 6.1 innings, giving up three runs, striking out five and walking one in a 5-4 victory over the Rays. The Athletics were unsuccessful against the Cardinals 3-1 the last time Detwiler pitched. He went 5.1 innings, allowing three runs, striking out six and walking one.
Houston is a heavy -200 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the Astros have a 49-45 record and overall money line at -717. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (5-2). The most recent 10-game stretch for the Astros has gone great. Over that span, Houston is averaging 6.2 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.6. They have been very patient at the plate during home games, ranking second in the AL with an average of 3.6 walks per game. As for the Houston defense and pitching staff, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Astros, who allow only 4.2 runs per game. The Astros are second in the AL in walks allowed with just 2.6 per game.
Moving on to the away team, the Athletics come into this game with a win percentage of .429 when playing as the underdog (39-52) and an overall money line of -1,136. Against teams in their division, they are 22-30 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 17-20 record. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the Oakland pitchers. They’ve allowed 2.8 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 4.7.
The Astros have gotten the best of the Athletics in head-to-head matchups this season, going 9-6. This game will feature Detwiler (LHP) on the mound against the Astros, who have a 22-21 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The right-handed Fiers will take the mound against the Athletics, who have a 43-53 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Houston is 36-26, while Oakland is 20-32.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Athletics are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Astros have a 20-1 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 11-54. The Athletics have a 14-60 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 22nd in home runs, Oakland has hit 141 this season. Houston ranks 13th with 165 home runs.
Houston and Oakland both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Houston sits at 13th with 8.48 hits per game and Oakland ranks 14th with 8.43.
Ranking 27th, Oakland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.701). Houston ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .742.
When the Athletics allow at least one home run, they are 29-62. When the Astros allow one or more homers, they have a 44-41 record.
