The red-hot Houston Astros are seeking their sixth consecutive victory when they play host to the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park. NBC Sports – California will be televising the action and the game gets going at 8:10 p.m. ET.
Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros Odds
Oakland (receiving +125) is entering this game as the underdog to Houston (-135) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this game at 10 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total currently sit at -105 for the over and -115 for the under. The game’s most recent runline odds stand at -170 for taking the Athletics +1.5 runs and +150 for the Astros -1.5.
The Astros are 95-50 straight up (SU) and 77-67 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle a lot for gamblers, gaining 4.6 units for moneyline bettors while earning 1.1 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. On the other hand, the Athletics have gone 84-60 SU this year and are 80-63 against the spread. Overall, the team’s accumulated 18.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 15.7 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Astros games have a 65-74-5 over/under record in 2019. Oakland has also been a decent under bet with a total record of 65-73-5.
The right-handed Tanner Roark will get the start for the visiting Athletics. Roark is 9-8 with a 3.86 ERA and 141 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA against Houston this year.
The Astros are putting the ball in the left hand of Wade Miley (13-4, 3.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP), who has 134 strikeouts and 55 walks this season. Miley is 1-1 with 11 strikeouts and a 1.83 ERA over three starts against Oakland this year.
Houston’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall in 2019 as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 3.66, a WHIP of 1.09 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.4. The bullpen has a 3.68 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. In 62 games against divisional foes, Astros starters have an ERA of 3.68 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.06.
The Houston hitters are putting up 5.7 runs per outing, including 6.4 per game against divisional foes and 11.2 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .337/.421/.668 over its last five contests and is 5-0 SU during that stretch.
Outfielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel have led the Astros’ batters this year. Brantley is slashing .323/.383/.525 with 21 home runs, 85 RBIs and 86 runs scored, while Gurriel is hitting .304 with 27 homers, 98 RBIs and 78 runs scored.
In the visiting dugout, Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 4.05 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 7.01 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.10, along with a WHIP of 1.25 and a K/9 of 9.14.
The Athletics offense has slashed .248/.327/.445 on its way to 5.2 runs scored per game this season, including 5.0 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Shortstop Marcus Semien and third baseman Matt Chapman continue to lead Oakland’s offense. Semien is slashing .275/.359/.496 with 26 home runs, 77 RBIs and 105 runs scored, while Chapman is hitting .253/.346/.518 with 32 homers, 80 RBIs and 91 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 14.9 units and are 25-14 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 17 of those games, compared to 20 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 7.2 units and are 55-49 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 50 of those games, compared to 51 which went under the total.
Athletics at Astros MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Oakland has tallied 14 extra-base hits over its last five games. Houston has 34 XBH over its last five.
- The Athletics have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games. The Astros have hit 19 over their last 10.
- The Athletics have a team OPS of .772 this season, including an OPS of .804 against left-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS sits at .850 overall and .889 against southpaws.
- Houston has posted 28.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 37.2 over its last five.
- The Astros have won seven of their last eight games SU.
