Tag: Athletics Astros odds picks prediction spread over/under betting line

Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Oakland Athletics (46-99) and Houston Astros (82-64) wrap up a 3-game set Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Athletics vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Astros lead 9-3

The Athletics won 6-2 as +288 underdogs in the 2nd game of the series Tuesday. C Shea Langeliers and LF Tony Kemp both homered as Oakland avoided its 100th loss of the season for the 2nd straight day.

Houston’s lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West has dwindled to just 1 game following the 2 losses to open this series. The Astros are 37-37 at home this season and have lost 12 of their last 16 games at Minute Maid Park.

Athletics at Astros projected starters

RHP Paul Blackburn vs. RHP Hunter Brown

Blackburn (4-4, 3.88 ERA) makes his 18th start and 19th appearance. He has a 1.51 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9 in 92 2/3 innings.

  • Last start: No-decision, 3 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 6-3 win at Rangers Friday
  • 2023 road stats: 2-2, 4.23 ERA (44 2/3 IP, 21 ER) in 8 starts and 1 relief appearance
  • 2023 vs. Astros: No-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K in a 4-1 home victory July 22
  • Career vs. Astros: 0-4, 9.51 ERA (29 1/3 IP, 31 ER) in 6 starts and 1 relief appearance

Brown (10-11, 4.78 ERA) makes his 27th start and 28th appearance. The rookie has a 1.37 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9 in 141 1/3 innings.

  • Last start: Loss, 4 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 11-2 home loss vs. San Diego Padres Friday
  • 2023 home stats: 3-7, 6.07 ERA (59 1/3 IP, 40 ER) in 12 starts
  • Career vs. Athletics: 1-0, 2.37 ERA (19 IP, 5 ER) in 3 starts – Most recent: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 3-2 road victory July 23

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Athletics at Astros odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:15 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Athletics +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Astros -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Athletics +1.5 (+105) | Astros -1.5 (-125)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Athletics at Astros picks and predictions

Prediction

Astros 4, Athletics 3

Moneyline

It’s unlikely that Houston (-275) will get swept by the Athletics. However, the Astros are slightly overvalued on the moneyline.

PASS. Bet the run line and/or the total instead.

Run line/Against the spread

Houston has lost 12 of its last 16 games at home and expecting it to win by multiple runs is a tough ask. The Astros are just 27-39 on the run line this season as home favorites, according to TeamRankings.com.

Oakland, while clearly not as talented, is still playing to ruin other teams’ seasons and to avoid its 100th loss. I believe the Astros avoid the sweep but Oakland keeps it close.

BET ATHLETICS +1.5 (+105).

Over/Under

The Under is 25-18-1 (58.1%) this season when Oakland plays divisional games.

Brown will probably bounce back after allowing 6 earned runs last time out, and Houston’s offense may continue to struggle after scoring just 2 runs in its last 2 games.

BET UNDER 9 (-115).

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Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

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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Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

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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Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds and lines, with expert MLB picks and predictions.

The Oakland Athletics (85-74) and Houston Astros (93-66) open  a three-game series Friday at 8:10 p.m. ET at Minute Maid Park. Let’s analyze the lines around the Athletics vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.

LHP Sean Manaea is the projected starting pitcher for the Athletics. Through 31 starts, he is 10-10 with a 3.94 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 9.7 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 across 173 2/3 IP.

  • Facing the Astros for a second straight start. Went 7 IP, allowing 1 ER on 3 hits while walking 1 and fanning 8 Saturday. Has held current Houston bats to an aggregate .705 OPS and .175 isolated power. Owns a 3.86 ERA over 30 1/3 IP against the Astros in 2021.
  • Has struggled for much of the second half and has a 6.95 ERA over 44 IP spanning nine starts from Aug. 3-Sept. 20.

LHP Framber Valdez is the projected starter for the Astros. He is 11-5 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 through 129 2/3 IP over 21 starts.

  • Oakland batters own a small-sample .473 OPS against him. The A’s lineup leans more left than most when facing lefty pitchers and that plays to an advantage for Valdez, who has limited lefty batters to a .626 career OPS. That figure comes alongside a .304 BABIP (which makes it reasonable to say he’s even that much tougher against same-side bats).
  • Has allowed just 1 ER over his last 13 2/3 IP.
  • Profiles as an extreme groundball pitcher and Oakland has below-average numbers against ground-ballers.

Athletics at Astros odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Athletics +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Astros -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Athletics +1.5 (-180) | Astros -1.5 (+145)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)

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Prediction

Athletics 4, Astros 3

Money line (ML)

Oakland has fallen somewhat apart and definitely out of Wild Card contention over recent weeks. Since Sept. 3 and despite a five-game winning streak, the A’s are just 11-14. They enter this series on a three-game losing skid. Over their last 10 games, the Athletics are 3-7 with a paltry .646 OPS.

The Astros dropped three straight at Oakland last weekend, but they rallied to take two of three against the Tampa Bay Rays this week. The Houston offense cranked out 29 runs across three games against the Los Angeles Angels last week (Sept. 20-22), but the Astros have scored just 2.1 runs per game (with a .531 OPS) over seven games since.

Houston leads the season series, nine games to seven but the Astros own a plus-21 run differential over those 16 games.

The Manaea-Valdez matchup has some baked-in lean toward Oakland. The advantage is around the margins and due to factors like averages on balls in play and left-on-base rates.

Tag the visiting nine as having some value, at least in the series opener. BACK THE ATHLETICS (+115).

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS on the juicy prices here.

Over/Under (O/U)

With Houston struggling offensively and perhaps mired in pre-postseason rest mode, BACK THE UNDER 8.5 (-115).

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Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Tuesday’s Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Oakland Athletics (49-37) and Houston Astros (52-33) meet at Minute Maid Park Tuesday with an 8:10 p.m. ET first pitch to open a three-game AL West series. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Athletics vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Chris Bassitt is the projected starting pitcher for the Athletics. He is 9-2 with a 3.04 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 9.2 K/9, and 2.3 BB/9 in 106 2/3 IP over 17 starts.

Bassitt is coming off 7 scoreless innings in his last start and owns a tidy 1.93 ERA over his last five outings.

LHP Framber Valdez is the projected starting pitcher for the Astros. Valdez has made seven starts this season and is 5-1 with a 2.18 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, and 2.8 BB/9 in 45 1/3 IP.

Valdez owns a 3.69 ERA and 1.21 WHIP at home since 2019. Albeit in a small sample he has held current Oakland bats to an aggregate .483 OPS in past meetings.

MLB betting offers/promotions

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Athletics at Astros odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:24 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Athletics +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Astros -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Athletics +1.5 (-160) | Astros -1.5 (+135)
  • Over/Under: 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Prediction

Astros 6, Athletics 3

Money line (ML)

The Astros and Athletics head into this series as the 1-2 in the AL West with Houston holding a 3 1/2-game lead. The home nine are on a 4-game win streak while Oakland has lost 3 of its last 4 games and is just 5-10 with a .651 OPS since June 19.

Houston is certainly worthy of the favorite tag here but peg the true odds as being bracketed by these prices. PASS.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

These two bullpens have figured prominently in Houston leapfrogging the A’s in the standings. Over the last 5-6 weeks, the Astros have been a top-5 group; the Athletics have been a bottom-5 group. Oakland’s relievers overall 4.08 ERA has been buoyed by a .277 batting average on balls in play.

The price on HOUSTON -1.5 (+135) is solid relative to the marketplace, and there is a decent tilt against the pitching in this one.

Over/Under (O/U)

The strongest play in this matchup is the OVER 8 (-115). While Bassitt and Valdez are both quite good they just aren’t “combined 5.22 ERA” good. And the Houston offense has been rolling – since June 4 the Astros have averaged 6.3 runs per game on the strength of an .866 OPS.

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Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The scuffling Oakland Athletics (1-7) meet the surging Houston Astros (6-1) Friday at 8:10 p.m. ET at Minute Maid Park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Athletics vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.

LHP Sean Manaea is the projected starting pitcher for the Athletics. A year ago, he went 4-3 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 and 1.3 BB/9 in 54 IP over 11 starts. Manaea opened his 2021 campaign allowing five runs on six hits and three walks in a 9-2 loss to the Astros April 4 in Oakland. Current Houston bats own a high-contest .785 OPS against the Oakland southpaw.

RHP Lance McCullers, Jr. is the projected twirler for the Astros. McCullers returned from Tommy John surgery last summer, going 3-3 with a 3.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 55 IP over 11 starts. He beat the A’s April 3, allowing one run in a five-frame effort. McCullers owns a career 2.51 ERA in 44 starts at Minute Maid.

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

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Athletics at Astros odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 2:18 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Athletics +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Astros -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Athletics +1.5 (-135) | Astros -1.5 (+110)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Prediction

Astros 4, Athletics 3

Money line (ML)

Oakland took 7 of 10 from Houston in the 2020 regular season, and the A’s held the Astros to just 2.5 runs per game along the way. The Astros did, however, beat the A’s 3-1 in a best-of-5 AL Division Series.

Oakland starter Manaea has a decent history in logging solid bounce-back efforts after clunkers. He’s also been a good road pitcher over his career. He scuffled away from home last season but that was with the caveat of pitching around a .348 batting average on balls in play. Manaea is backed by an Oakland bullpen in a slightly better rest situation than its Houston counterpart.

Take the ATHLETICS (+140).

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Consider Oakland as a run-line underdog if you can get a price closer to -125.

Over/Under (O/U)

The strongest play in this one is UNDER 8.5 (-105). McCullers has a nice history at home, and, looking at expected-ERA metrics, one could make the case that Manaea has pitched better than his ERA just about every season of his six-year MLB career.

Back the UNDER 8.5 (-105).

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Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Houston Astros (5-1) host the Oakland Athletics (1-6) for their 2021 home opener Thursday at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Athletics vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.

These AL West rivals opened the season against each other last week with the Astros completing a four-game sweep in Oakland. The A’s lost their next two games before beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 in 10 innings Wednesday in the finale of a three-game home set. Oakland, which tied it in the bottom of the ninth, won it on 1B Mitch Moreland‘s walk-off RBI single.

The Astros had Wednesday off after splitting a two-game set at the Los Angeles Angels. SS Carlos Correa‘s 2-run homer in the top of the ninth was the difference in a 4-2 win Tuesday.

LHP Cole Irvin is the A’s projected starter Thursday. He is 0-1 with an 8.31 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, 4.2 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 1 start this season. The outing, his only career appearance against Houston, saw him allow 4 runs on 7 hits and 1 walk over 4 1/3 IP in a 9-1 A’s loss Saturday.

  • 2020 stats: 0-1, 17.18 ERA (3 2/3 IP, 7 ER), 3.27 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, 2.5 BB/9 in 3 relief appearances for the Philadelphia Phillies
  • Career stats: 2-3, 6.89 ERA (49 2/3 IP, 38 ER) in 20 games, including 4 starts
  • Career as a starter: 2-2, 6.14 ERA (22 IP, 15 ER), 1.36 WHIP, 6.1 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9

RHP Cristian Javier is expected to start for the Astros. He is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 9.8 K/9 and 0.0 BB/9 in 1 start this season. He started against the A’s Friday and yielded 2 runs on 3 hits and no walks with 4 strikeouts in 3 2/3 IP.

  • 2020 vs. A’s: 0-2, 7.88 ERA (8 IP, 7 ER) in 2 starts
  • Career vs. A’s: 0-2, 6.94 ERA (11 2/3 IP, 9 ER) in 3 starts

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

  • Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
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Athletics at Astros odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:50 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: A’s +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Astros -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: A’s +1.5 (-140) | Astros -1.5 (+120)
  • Over/Under: 9.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Prediction

Astros 7, Athletics 3

Money line (ML)

Bet the ASTROS (-155) to WIN 0.25 UNITS. They dominated the A’s in the opening series, outscoring them 35-9. There’s no reason to think Houston won’t dominate again. The Astros are 7-1 straight up in the last eight games of the head-to-head series.

At -165, a $41.25 Houston ML wager profits $25 if the Astros win.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Back HOUSTON -1.5 (+120) for THREE-QUARTER UNITS. Each of the four victories in the opening series vs. Oakland was by at least 4 runs. The Astros won those games by scores of 8-1, 9-5, 9-1 and 9-2.

Plus, the Astros are 6-0 ATS, while the A’s are 1-6 ATS.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 9.5 (-115) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. All four games of the opening series played to the Over, averaging 11.0 runs per game. Houston is scoring 7.5 runs per game so far this season, Oakland’s team ERA is 7.17, and neither starting pitcher makes me think of a low-scoring affair.

O/U records: A’s 5-2 | Astros 5-1

Injury note: Oakland 1B Matt Olson missed the last two games due to a bruised left knee and is questionable for Thursday.

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JOHNNY PARLAY’S RECORD W-L SP ROI
2021 MLB 3-9 1-2 -5.6375
2020 MLB 80-59-1 39-21 +24.79
2021 record (all sports) 105-94-1 50-43 +7.4125
*–SP: Strongest plays; ROI: Return on investment

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