The Oakland Athletics (52-91) and Houston Astros (93-50) open a 4-game series at Minute Maid Park Thursday. First pitch is at 7:20 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Athletics vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Houston leads 9-6
The Athletics are continuing a road trip that opened with a split of 2 games against the Texas Rangers. Both games were high-scoring affairs, and the Oakland pitching staff owns a Boeing 7.95 ERA over its last 8 games. The A’s are 2-6 over that stretch; they are 6-10 across their last 16 games.
The Astros are back at home after taking 3 straight games at the Detroit Tigers. Houston has won 4 in a row overall. Its pitching has been sharp recently with the club going 12-3 since Aug. 28. Astros hurlers own a tidy 1.95 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over that span.
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Athletics at Astros projected starters
RHP James Kaprielian vs. RHP Lance McCullers, Jr.
Kaprielian (3-9, 4.79 ERA) has registered a 1.42 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9 and 6.3 K/9 through 109 IP across 22 starts.
- Has been solid over recent road turns, posting a 2.70 ERA over his last 6 starts away from home
- Scratched from his last scheduled start (Friday) and has been day-to-day with a finger injury
McCullers Jr. (3-1, 2.20 ERA) is tabbed for his 6th start after coming off the injured list (flexor strain) in August. He has a 1.33 WHIP, 4.7 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 through 28 2/3 IP.
- Threw a season-high 105 pitches in his last outing Friday vs. the Los Angeles Angels; walked just 1 batter after walking 14 over his first 22 IP this season
- Has clocked a 2.73 ERA and 1.07 WHIP at home since 2020
- Owns a 1.55 ERA over his last 5 starts against Oakland
Athletics at Astros odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Athletics +270 (bet $100 to win $270) | Astros -360 (bet $360 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Athletics +2.5 (-125) | Astros -2.5 (+102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
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Athletics at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 5, Athletics 3
Money line
The Houston bullpen likely grabs a decent chunk of this game with McCullers coming back after a big workload in his last outing. Weighing expected vs. real stats, that really does not add value to the Houston side.
Oakland has been +250 or higher 3 times this season and is 3-0 in those games. However, the A’s are a terrible team and not worth taking in just about any spot from here on out.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
Houston -2.5 might would have upped value in some pitching scenarios, but not this one.
Over/Under
Both hurlers have had some fortunate rates around the margins. The shakier of these two offenses — Oakland — has found its way to 25 runs over its last 3 games.
BACK THE OVER 7.5 (-120).
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