The Oakland Athletics (52-92) and Houston Astros (94-50) continue a 4-game series at Minute Maid Park Friday. First pitch will be at 8:10 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 10-6
The Athletics yielded 5 runs in losing Thursday’s series opener 5-2. Oakland has coughed up 20 runs over its last 3 games, and the club has filed a 3-11 mark and 6.57 ERA in its last 14 games.
The Astros have won 5 contests in a row. Houston pitching has been sharp recently, with the club going 13-3 since Aug. 28. Astros hurlers own a tidy 1.95 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over that span.
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Athletics at Astros projected starters
RHP Adrian Martinez vs. RHP Justin Verlander
Martinez (4-4, 5.59 ERA) is tabbed for his 9th start. He owns a 1.53 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 through 38 2/3 IP.
- Allowed 7 ER on 14 hits in his last start Saturday vs. the Chicago White Sox
- The 25-year-old rookie notched a 5.72 ERA across 18 starts at Triple-A this season
Verlander (16-3, 1.84 ERA) is lined up for his 25th start. He has a 0.86 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 through 152 IP.
- Returning from the 15-day IL (calf) for this home start; last pitched Aug. 28
- Owns a 3.26 ERA over his 478-game career, but has logged a 2.94 mark when pitching on 6-plus days of rest
- Current Oakland batters own an aggregate .383 OPS against him
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 7:47 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Athletics +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Astros -380 (bet $380 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: +100 | U: -125)
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Athletics at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 6, Athletics 3
Money line
The Houston bullpen situation nixes value on that side. Oakland being Oakland offers no value on that end.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
Houston -2.5 might would have upped value in some pitching scenarios, but not this one. Perhaps at a +110 price or better, that play becomes actionable.
Over/Under
Verlander has logged some favorable rates around the margins and is backed by a bullpen that is in fatigue territory with its back-end use of late. Mix in Verlander’s time off and questionable Oakland pitching.
Now add in the fact the Athletics found their way to 25 runs over 3 games prior to this series.
The Over 7.5 was a solid play in Thursday’s opener, but the 2 sides went a combined 3-of-15 with runners in scoring position and the Under prevailed.
BACK THE OVER 7.5 (-102).
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