The Oakland Athletics will face their divisional rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California is in line to televise the matchup.
Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros Odds
Vegas has listed Oakland (+210) as the underdog to Houston (-230). Gamblers can wager on the game’s total with odds posted at -115 for over 8.5 runs and -105 for under 8.5. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at Athletics +1.5 runs (-105) and Astros -1.5 runs (-115).
The Athletics are 51-41 SU and have gone 46-45 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 14.5 units for moneyline gamblers and 0.6 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 62-32 SU and 48-45 ATS. They’ve gained 5.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 1.9 units ATS. Houston has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven outings and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Astros games have an over/under record of 40-48-5 so far in 2018. Oakland has an over/under record of 43-42-6.
Right-hander Chris Bassitt will get the nod for the visiting Athletics. Bassitt is 1-3 with a 3.00 ERA and 24 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Astros this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Astros will turn to righty Lance McCullers Jr. (10-3, 3.41 ERA), who has 118 strikeouts and 38 walks as well as a 1.11 WHIP. McCullers Jr. is 3-0 with 15 strikeouts and a 1.89 ERA over three starts against Oakland this year.
Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 4.33 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 6.60 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.55, along with a K-per-9 of 8.75.
The Athletics offense has slashed .246/.317/.424 on its way to 4.6 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien have paced Oakland’s hitters. Lowrie is slashing .287/.356/.500 with 16 home runs, 62 RBIs and 41 runs scored, while Semien (.253/.305/.370) is up to seven homers, 33 RBIs and 49 runs scored.
For the home team, Houston’s pitching staff has allowed 3.1 runs per game overall this season. The team’s starters have a 2.93 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.78, a WHIP of 1.03 and a K/9 of 10.7. In 39 games against divisional foes, Astros starters have an ERA of 2.79 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.02.
The Houston hitters have put up 5.1 runs per contest, including 5.2 per game against divisional foes and 6.2 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .277/.362/.434 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman have led the way for the Astros’ hitters this year. Altuve is hitting .335/.400/.481 with nine home runs, 44 RBIs, 61 runs and 13 stolen bases, and Bregman’s line is .282/.384/.531 with 19 homers, 59 RBIs, 61 runs and eight stolen bases.
The Athletics have gained 15.7 units and are 30-31 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 29 of those games, as opposed 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 right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 26 of those games, compared to 29 that’ve cashed the under.
Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The over has cashed in just two of Oakland’s last seven games.
The Astros have won seven of their last eight games SU.
Oakland has recorded 22.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 25.0 over its last five.
The Athletics have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
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