The Houston Astros are set to take the field against their divisional rival Oakland Athletics in a Friday showdown. NBC Sports – California is in line to televise the matchup and the game will get underway at 10:07 p.m. ET.
Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics Odds
Vegas has listed Oakland (+170) as the underdog to Houston (-180). If you think this game’s total will go under 8.5 runs, Vegas is currently offering -110 odds. Playing the over will return -110 odds. Runline odds stand at -125 for taking the Astros -1.5 runs and +105 for the Athletics +1.5.
The Athletics are 69-52 straight up (SU) and 64-56 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 12.0 units for moneyline bettors and 6.6 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Astros have gone 78-44 SU this year and are 65-56 ATS. Overall, the team’s accumulated 3.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 1.4 units ATS. Houston is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Athletics games have had an over/under record of 55-61-4 in 2019. The Astros have also been a decent under bet with a total record of 54-64-3.
Justin Verlander is getting the start for the visiting Astros. The right-handed Verlander is 15-4 with a 2.82 ERA and 217 strikeouts. He’s 2-0 with 19 strikeouts and a 0.64 ERA against Oakland this year (two starts).
The Athletics are countering with Tanner Roark (7-8, 4.06 ERA). Roark has 121 strikeouts and 40 walks, along with a WHIP of 1.39. Roark has yet to face the Astros this year and did not register a start against them in 2018.
As a unit, Oakland’s pitchers have given up 4.3 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starters have an ERA of 4.04, a WHIP of 1.23 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.9. The bullpen has a 4.12 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. In 54 games against divisional foes, Athletics starters have an ERA of 5.00 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.33.
The Oakland offense has put up 5.1 runs per outing, including 5.1 per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over its last five. The team has hit .265/.328/.488 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Athletics’ offense has been led by shortstop Marcus Semien and third baseman Matt Chapman. Semien is hitting .270/.355/.467 with 19 home runs, 56 RBIs and 87 runs scored, while Chapman’s line sits at .260/.343/.533 with 29 homers, 69 RBIs and 79 runs.
For the visiting squad, Houston’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 3.71 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10.27 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.80, along with a WHIP of 1.10.
The Astros offense has slashed .275/.353/.490 on its way to 5.5 runs scored per game in 2019, including 6.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Outfielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel continue to lead Houston’s hitters. Brantley is slashing .332/.389/.540 with 18 home runs, 74 RBIs and 73 runs scored, while Gurriel (.306/.343/.555) is up to 25 homers, 84 RBIs and 69 runs scored.
The Astros have lost 7.8 units and are 47-41 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 41 of those games, compared to 45 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Athletics have netted 0.9 units and are 45-44 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 40 of those games, compared to 47 that’ve gone under.
Astros at Athletics Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Houston has logged 19 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Oakland has 17 XBH over its last five.
- The Astros have an OPS of .843 this season and an OPS of .815 against right-handed pitchers. The Athletics’ OPS sits at .767 overall and .748 versus righties.
- The Astros have lost four of their last five games SU.
- Houston has recorded 30.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 24.2 over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 23 home runs in their last 10 games. The Athletics have hit 19 over their last 10.
