The Oakland Athletics will be taking on their divisional rival Houston Astros in a Thursday night game. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California will be showing the matchup.
Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros Odds
Oakland (receiving +225) is coming into this one as the underdog to Houston (-245) and oddsmakers have the Over/Under for this game at 9 runs (-115 for the over and -105 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds coming in at Athletics +1.5 runs (+100) and Astros -1.5 runs (-120).
The Astros are 95-52 straight up (SU) and 78-68 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle a whole lot for gamblers, gaining 4.0 units for moneyline bettors while earning 0.9 units ATS. The Athletics are 86-60 SU and have gone 81-64 against the spread. In total, the team’s accumulated 19.3 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 15.4 units ATS.
Houston games have a 67-74-5 over/under record in 2019. The Athletics have also been a decent under bet with a total record of 67-73-5.
The right-handed Homer Bailey will get the nod for the visiting Athletics. Bailey is 12-8 with a 4.87 ERA and 131 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with two strikeouts and a 40.50 ERA against Houston this year.
The Astros are countering with Justin Verlander (18-5, 2.52 ERA). Verlander has 264 strikeouts and 36 walks, along with a WHIP of 0.77. Verlander is 2-0 with 30 strikeouts and a 1.29 ERA across three starts against Oakland this year.
As a unit, Houston’s pitchers have given up 4.1 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starters have an ERA of 3.72, a WHIP of 1.10 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.5. The bullpen has a 3.91 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. In 64 games against AL West opponents, Astros starters have an ERA of 3.83 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.57.
Houston’s offense has put up 5.7 runs per outing, including 6.4 per game against divisional foes and 9.6 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .355/.416/.716 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Left fielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel have led the Astros’ batters this year. Brantley is slashing .323/.382/.523 with 21 home runs, 85 RBIs and 86 runs scored, and Gurriel’s line sits at .304/.349/.547 with 27 homers, 98 RBIs and 78 runs.
In the other dugout, Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.07 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 6.99 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.09, along with a K-per-9 of 9.11.
Athletics hitters have slashed .250/.329/.450 on their way to 5.3 runs scored per game this season, including 5.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 7.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Shortstop Marcus Semien and third baseman Matt Chapman continue to lead Oakland’s hitters. Semien is slashing .281/.363/.509 with 28 home runs, 81 RBIs and 109 runs scored. Chapman (.253/.347/.514) is up to 32 homers, 81 RBIs and 94 runs scored.
Athletics vs. Astros Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Oakland has tallied 21 extra-base hits over its last five games. Houston has 33 XBH over its last five.
- The Athletics have a total OPS of .779 this season and an OPS of .774 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS stands at .851 overall and .830 against righties.
- The Athletics have won four of their last five games SU.
- Houston has recorded 28.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 35.6 over its last five.
- The Athletics have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games, including 11 over their last five.
