The Oakland Athletics are facing off against the Houston Astros at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The first pitch is scheduled for 10:05 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California will be televising the action.
Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Odds
Vegas has listed Oakland (+125) as the underdog to Houston (-135). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -110 for over eight runs and -110 for under eight. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds sitting at Astros -1.5 runs (+110) and Athletics +1.5 runs (-130).
The Astros have gone 74-47 SU this year and are 61-60 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 11.3 units for moneyline bettors and 5.2 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Athletics, on the other hand, are 72-49 SU and 61-60 ATS. They’ve gained 28.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 0.8 units ATS. Oakland has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Athletics games have a 55-59-7 over/under record in 2018. Houston has been a good under bet with a total record of 52-63-6.
Charlie Morton will get the start for the visiting Astros. The right-handed Morton is 12-3 with a 2.88 ERA and 171 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with five strikeouts and a 6.23 ERA against Oakland this year.
The Athletics will send righty Edwin Jackson (4-2, 2.48 ERA) to the mound. Jackson has 41 strikeouts and 17 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.03. Jackson has yet to face the Astros this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-1, 3.00 ERA across six innings).
As a unit, Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.2 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have an ERA of 4.10, a WHIP of 1.22 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.5. The bullpen has a 3.37 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 9.1 K/9. In 51 games against divisional opponents, Athletics starters have an ERA of 5.23 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.76.
The Oakland offense is putting up 4.7 runs per outing, including 4.4 per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .283/.355/.483 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Shortstop Marcus Semien and second baseman Jed Lowrie have led the Athletics’ hitters this year. Semien is slashing .263/.323/.389 with 10 home runs, 45 RBIs, 69 runs and 13 stolen bases, while Lowrie is batting .271 with 19 homers, 76 RBIs and 53 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Houston’s pitching staff allowed 3.2 runs per game and its starters own a 3.06 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.43 K/9. The bullpen has managed a solid ERA of just 3.05, along with a K-per-9 of 10.89.
The Astros offense has slashed .255/.331/.428 on its way to 4.9 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman continue to lead Houston’s hitters. Altuve is hitting .329/.392/.464 with nine home runs, 46 RBIs, 64 runs and 14 steals, while Bregman (.278/.381/.512) has produced 22 homers, 74 RBIs and 77 runs scored.
The Astros have lost 0.1 units and are 40-34 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 32 of those games, compared to 38 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Athletics have netted 20.8 units and are 38-39 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 37 of those games, compared to 37 that’ve gone under.
Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
