The Oakland Athletics are set to take on their divisional rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. MLB Network will showcase the action and the game gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET.
Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros Odds
Oakland (+187) is the underdog to Houston (-205) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this game at 8.5 runs (+100 for the over and -120 for the under). The game’s most recent runline odds sit at -115 for picking the Athletics +1.5 runs and -105 for the Astros -1.5.
The Astros are 62-33 straight up (SU) and 48-46 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 6.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 2.9 units (ATS). Houston has covered the spread just twice in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Athletics, on the other hand, are 52-41 SU and have gone 47-45 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 13.5 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 1.6 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Houston games have had an over/under record of 41-48-5 so far in 2018. The Athletics have an over/under record of 44-42-6.
The right-handed Trevor Cahill is getting the nod for the visiting Athletics. Cahill (1-2, 2.77 ERA) has recorded 47 punchouts in 48.2 innings so far. He’s 0-1 with five strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA against Houston this year.
The Astros will put the ball in the right hand of Charlie Morton (11-2, 2.83 ERA), who has 141 strikeouts and 43 walks as well as a 1.12 WHIP. Morton hasn’t faced the Athletics yet this year, but he made two starts against them in 2017, compiling a 1-1 record with a 4.50 ERA and 20 strikeouts.
As a unit, Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.1 runs per game overall this season. The team’s starters have an ERA of 3.00, a WHIP of 1.07 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.3. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.80, a WHIP of 1.04 and a K/9 of 10.8. In 40 divisional games, Astros starters have an ERA of 2.96 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.05.
The Houston offense is putting up 5.1 runs per outing, including 5.1 per game against divisional foes and 4.6 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .244/.309/.390 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Astros’ batters have been led by second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman. Altuve is slashing .334/.399/.479 with nine home runs, 44 RBIs, 62 runs and 14 steals, while Bregman’s line sits at .285/.385/.531 with 19 homers, 59 RBIs, 62 runs and eight stolen bases.
For the visiting squad, Oakland’s pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.34 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 6.55 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.51, along with a K-per-9 of 8.64.
Athletics hitters have slashed .246/.318/.425 on their way to 4.6 runs scored per game this season, including 3.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien continue to lead Oakland’s hitters. Lowrie is slashing .290/.362/.501 with 16 home runs, 62 RBIs and 42 runs scored, while Semien is hitting .253/.309/.372 with seven homers, 33 RBIs and 51 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 14.7 units and are 31-31 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 30 of those games, compared to 29 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 11.8 units and are 33-26 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 26 of those games, compared to 29 that’ve gone under.
Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
Oakland has tallied 20 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Houston has 13 XBH over its last five.
The Athletics have won four of their last five games SU.
Houston has posted 22.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 21.4 over its last five.
The Athletics have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
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