The Oakland Athletics will be squaring off against their AL West nemesis Houston Astros in a Wednesday night game. NBC Sports – California will broadcast the matchup and the game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET.
Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Odds
The Astros are 95-51 straight up (SU) and 78-67 against the spread (ATS). The team has gained 5.6 units for moneyline bettors and 0.1 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Athletics have gone 85-60 SU this year and are 80-64 ATS. Overall, the club has gained 17.8 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 14.4 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Houston games have had an over/under record of 66-74-5 in 2019. The Athletics have also been a decent under bet with a total record of 66-73-5.
The southpaw Brett Anderson is the probable starter for the visiting Athletics. Anderson is 11-9 with a 4.08 ERA and 81 strikeouts. He’s 0-2 with five strikeouts and a 6.10 ERA against Houston this year (two starts).
The Astros are putting the ball in the hands of Jose Urquidy (1-1, 5.33 ERA, 1.30 WHIP), who’s got 24 strikeouts and five walks. Urquidy hasn’t faced the Athletics yet this year and did not pitch in the majors in 2018.
Houston’s pitching staff has given up 4.1 runs per game overall in 2019 as a unit. The team’s starters have an ERA of 3.73, a WHIP of 1.10 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.4. The bullpen has a 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 63 games against AL West opponents, Astros starters have an ERA of 3.86 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.48.
Houston’s offense is putting up 5.7 runs per contest, including 6.4 per game against divisional foes and 10.4 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .361/.429/.716 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Astros’ hitters have been led by outfielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel. Brantley is hitting .324/.383/.525 with 21 home runs, 85 RBIs and 86 runs scored, and Gurriel’s line is .304/.349/.547 with 27 homers, 98 RBIs and 78 runs.
For the visiting squad, Oakland’s pitching staff allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.07 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 6.99 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.11, along with a WHIP of 1.25.
The Athletics offense has slashed .250/.329/.450 on its way to 5.3 runs scored per game this year, including 5.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 7.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Oakland’s hitters have been led by shortstop Marcus Semien and third baseman Matt Chapman, who collectively have blasted 59 home runs. Semien is slashing .278/.361/.503 with 27 home runs, 80 RBIs and 107 runs scored, while Chapman (.255/.348/.518) is up to 32 homers, 81 RBIs and 93 runs scored.
The Astros have gained 11.8 units and are 22-18 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 15 of those games, as opposed to 23 that’ve gone under against lefty starters.
Athletics vs. Astros Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Oakland has recorded 18 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Houston has 34 XBH over its last five.
- The Athletics have won three of their last four games SU.
- Oakland has posted 23.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 28.8 over its last five.
- The Athletics have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
