Scott Feldman (0-1, 1.35 ERA) and the Houston Astros (3-3) meet Scott Kazmir (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (3-4) in the first of a three-game division series at Minute Maid Park. The game starts at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Apr. 13 and will air on CSN-CA and ROOT-SW.
Feldman is 5-8 with a 5.55 ERA and 1.50 WHIP against the Athletics in his career. Jake Marisnick (.400 ) continued his hot start yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run, one home run, two RBIs, and one stolen base. In his pitching opportunities against the Astros, Kazmir is 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA, 47 strikeouts and 14 walks. Stephen Vogt (.368 ) has been hitting the ball well to start the season, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Houston, a +120 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Oakland. The matchup currently has a seven-run Over/Under (O/U). The Astros are 1-2 as the underdog and have an overall money line of -103. The Astros are a nightmare for opponents on the bases with eight steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. Houston’s pitching staff performs very well on its own field, recording a low 2.33 team ERA at home.
On the other side, the Athletics have a record of 3-3 when they are favored and are -147 overall with the money line. Against divisional foes, they are 3-3 SU and 3-3 as the favorite. The Athletics are known for their bats, hitting 26 extra base hits. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Oakland batters, who average an AL-low 0.0 strikeouts per road game. Switching gears to Oakland’s pitching staff, they have the fourth-lowest ERA in the AL at 2.41. They have a WHIP of 0.86 on the year, good for second in the league.
Predictions: SU Winner – OAK, O/U – Under
Notes
Oakland recorded at least two errors for the second time this season.
When the Astros play into extra innings, they have a 1-0 record. The Athletics are 0-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 3-2. The Astros have a 2-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 25th, Houston is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 16 this season. Oakland ranks in the top five at second with 43.
Ranking sixth, Houston is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 21 this season. Oakland ranks in the top five at fourth with 24.
The Astros are 2-2 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Athletics are 2-0 when they hit at least one homer.
