The Houston Astros (54-28) take the field against the Oakland Athletics (28-56) Friday at the Oakland Coliseum for the first of a 3-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Astros vs. Athletics odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Houston leads 3-0.
Houston is ablaze in these summer months. The Astros are 9-1 in the last 10 and 16-4 in the last 20. They’ve showed their championship experience with a 15-6 record in 1-run ballgames. DH Yordan Alvarez and SS Jeremy Pena each have 3 homers in the last 7 days.
The A’s are going a different direction, and they received a scare with RHP Frankie Montas, their biggest trade piece, coming down with a shoulder issue. Oakland is 3-7 in its last 10 and 8-22 in its last 30.
Astros at Athletics projected starters
RHP Jose Urquidy vs. RHP Paul Blackburn
Urquidy (7-3, 4.15 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.33 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 7.1 K/9 in 80 1/3 IP.
- Allowed 1 ER over 6+ IP in 3 straight starts.
- Was 0-1 with a 4.96 ERA in 3 starts against A’s last year.
- Current A’s are hitting .159 with a .250 weighted on-base average in 48 plate appearances.
Blackburn (6-3, 2.90 ERA) makes his 17th start. He has a 1.16 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 in 87 IP.
- He allowed 4 ER on 5 H, no BB and 5 K’s in 6 2/3 innings in a loss to Houston May 30.
- Has a 4.46 ERA in his last 7 starts.
- Is 0-3 with a 10.80 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 4 starts (5 games) lifetime against Houston.
Astros at Athletics odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:24 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Astros -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Athletics +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (-108) | Athletics +1.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Astros at Athletics picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 7, Royals 3
Money line
I think Oakland gets one of these games, but Blackburn hasn’t had much success against the Astros. Keep that thought in your back pocket for Sunday when Cole Irvin starts. There is very little value on this game, which means we’re going to have to get creative. Urquidy gave up just 1 ER in his last 3 starts against the Mets, Yankees and Angels. I’m down with ASTROS FIRST 5 INNINGS (-122).
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Run line/Against the spread
The Astros won 2 of the 3 games by more than a run this season. Eleven of the last 13 wins for Houston has been by more than a run. For the season, the Astros are 44-38 on the RL and 24-19 on the road. I don’t like juiced run lines, but this one makes sense. Take the ASTROS -1.5 (-108).
Over/Under
The Over is just 2-8 in Oakland’s last 10. The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Oakland. If this number were 8.5, I’d consider leaning toward the Under. But Houston is scoring 5.9 runs per game over the last 10 on its own. We’ll LEAN OVER 7.5 (-108).
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