Michael Brantley and the Houston Astros will head west to Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum to take on their divisional foe Oakland Athletics. The first pitch is scheduled for 10:07 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California will be showing the matchup.
Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Odds
Bookmakers have Houston (-120) as the favorite over Oakland (+110). If you’re thinking this game’s total is going to go under 9.5 runs, then bookmakers are teeing up -115 odds. Taking the over can return -105 odds. There’s a runline of Astros -1.5 (+125) and Athletics +1.5 (-145) for this matchup.
The Astros have gone 78-43 SU this year and are 65-55 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 6.7 units for moneyline bettors and 3.4 units ATS. The Athletics, on the other hand, are 68-52 SU and 63-56 ATS. The team has gained 11.0 units for moneyline bettors and 5.3 units ATS.
Oakland games have a 54-61-4 over/under record in 2019. Houston has also been a good under bet with a total record of 53-64-3.
Aaron Sanchez is getting the nod for the visiting Astros. The right-handed Sanchez (5-14, 5.60 ERA) has recorded 111 punchouts in 123.2 innings so far. He’s 1-0 with six strikeouts and a 1.00 ERA against Oakland this year (two starts).
The Athletics will turn to righty Mike Fiers (11-3, 3.30 ERA), who has 99 strikeouts and 42 walks as well as a 1.11 WHIP. Fiers is 0-0 with eight strikeouts and a 5.63 ERA over three starts against Houston this year.
Houston’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10.31 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.80, along with a WHIP of 1.10.
Astros hitters have slashed .275/.354/.489 on their way to 5.5 runs scored per game in 2019, including 6.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 9.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Left fielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel continue to lead Houston’s offense. Brantley is hitting .328/.387/.525 with 16 home runs, 72 RBIs and 70 runs scored, while Gurriel has a .306 average with 25 homers, 84 RBIs and 69 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Oakland’s pitching staff has yielded 4.3 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starting pitching staff has a 4.01 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 6.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.13 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. In 53 games against divisional foes, Athletics starters have an ERA of 4.95 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.35.
The Oakland offense has put up 5.0 runs per outing, including 5.0 per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .266/.349/.457 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Athletics’ offense has been led by shortstop Marcus Semien and third baseman Matt Chapman. Semien is slashing .272/.358/.470 with 19 home runs, 56 RBIs and 87 runs scored, and Chapman’s line is .255/.340/.517 with 27 homers, 67 RBIs and 76 runs.
The Astros have lost 7.8 units and are 47-41 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 41 of those games, compared to 45 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Athletics have lost 0.1 units and are 44-44 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 39 of those games, compared to 47 that’ve cashed the under.
Astros at Athletics Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in four of Houston’s last seven outings.
- The Astros have lost three of their last four games SU.
- The Houston defense has coughed up five errors over the last five outin, compared to two errors for Oakland over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 19 home runs in their last 10 games, including 12 over their last five.
- The Astros have a total OPS of .843 this season and an OPS of .814 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Athletics’ OPS sits at .764 overall and .744 against righties.
