The Houston Astros (6-8) play the Oakland Athletics (11-4), in hopes of preventing a three-game sweep, Sunday at Ring Central Coliseum for a 4:10 p.m. ET first pitch. We analyze the Astros-Athletics betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
Astros at Athletics: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Cristian Javier vs. LHP Jesus Luzardo
Javier has two starts and three appearances this season with his his first start coming against the Los Angeles Dodgers July 29. He is 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings pitched.
Luzardo is making his second career start. The 22-year-old’s first start was a no-decision against the Texas Rangers Tuesday. He pitched five innings, striking out five batters while allowing only two hits and no earned runs.
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Astros at Athletics: Key injuries
Get the latest injury news here.
Astros
- LF Yordan Alvarez (knee) out
- SS Aledmys Diaz (groin) out
- RP Roberto Osuna (elbow) out
- RF George Springer (wrist) questionable
- RP Chris Devenski (elbow) out
Astros at Athletics: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:40 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML)
The Athletics (-154) are in the midst of an 8-game winning streak and if they beat Houston, it’ll be their third straight series win and back-to-back series sweeps. Oakland has jumped out to a 4.5-game lead in the AL West, which is the biggest division lead in baseball.
The Astros (+140) hitting hasn’t been able to pick up the slack of a weaker pitching staff. Houston’s rotation is banged up (and was already going to be less dominant without SP Gerrit Cole). The lineup has been average thus far. Houston is slashing .236/.325/.400 and ranks 17th by home runs in the MLB (17).
The Athletics have won five straight and eight of 10 games versus the Astros. Oakland is 4-0 in its last four games versus a right-handed starter.
As much as I hate paying such a steep price, the ATHLETICS (-154) IS A GOOD BET. New to sports betting? A $154 bet on Athletics (-154) returns a $100 profit if Oakland beats the Astros.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The Athletics’ hitting isn’t good enough to back them on the run line (-1, -115). They’re ranked 23rd in batting average and slugging percentage.
Most importantly, Oakland tends to win close games when they beat Houston. Out of the Athletics’ last 10 victories over the Astros, six of them were by one run.
PASS ON THE RUN LINE.
Over/Under (O/U)
I “LEAN” toward UNDER 8 (-110) because the Athletics’ Over/Under record on the season is 6-9 and we like them to win so the thought is the game will be paced at Oakland’s tempo.
I don’t like playing totals though, so it’s only a lean. Saturday, I handicapped two games for SportsbookWire and picked both winning sides but was wrong on both totals.
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