The Houston Astros' road back to the postseason seems clear but the American League West’s top club comes to the Bay Area to battle an Oakland A’s team that plays its best baseball at home. **video
We dive into the odds and info for Game 1 of this divisional rivalry (10:07 p.m. ET), giving our best bets and predictions: from quick-hitting props to the moneyline and total.
HOUSTON ASTROS AT OAKLAND ATHLETICS (+110, 10 @BETAMERICA)
QUICK HITTER
Oakland starter Mike Fiers owns a 4.32 ERA in the first inning this season but has cleaned up his opening efforts the past two months. Since July, he’s kept a clean sheet in the opening frame through seven starts, including a scoreless first inning against the Astros on July 23.
Houston is one of the best offensive lineups in the opening frame, plating an average of 0.81 runs in the first inning on the road. They’ve pushed seven total runs across home plate in the first during this current road trip (six games). However, those stats did come against the lowly White Sox and Orioles and the A’s have allowed only 0.37 runs per first inning on the year – tied for lowest in the majors.
PREDICTION: First-inning three-way odds – Tie (-115)
GET MORE MLB FREE PICKS AND BETTING ADVICE AT COVERS EXPERTS!
FIRST FIVE INNINGS
Outside of an 11-run outburst from the Astros back on July 22, the opening five innings between Oakland and Houston have been relatively quiet.
In five of their last six head-to-head matchups, these AL West rivals have produced five or fewer runs in the first five innings with at least one side shutout in that span in four of those contests. The Astros allow an average of 2.3 runs in the opening five frames while the A’s limit opponents to 2.36 runs in the first five – slimming that to 1.9 when at home.
Oakland’s recent eight-game road trip saw three or fewer runs scored in the opening five innings in six of those away games.
PREDICTION: First five innings - Under 5.5 runs
TEAM/PLAYER PROP
Fiers has been outstanding in his last three outings, owning a tiny 1.45 ERA along with 18 total strikeouts. He fanned a season-high eight batters in his most recent effort versus the White Sox, however, that Chicago lineup is second in the big leagues in Ks this month with 132.
Houston, on the other hand, won’t be fooled so easily. The Astros have the fewest strikeouts on the season, and have been punched out only 78 times this month. Fiers threw one hell of a game versus Houston on July 23 but got just three batters to strikeout.
The A’s righty has recorded five or more Ks just six times in 25 starts in 2019 and he won’t fool Houston’s savvy hitters more than four times tonight.
PREDICTION: Fiers Under 4.5 strikeouts (-150)
WIN CASH AND PRIZES WITH YOUR MLB PICKS IN OUR FREE-TO-PLAY COVERS CONTESTS!
TOTAL BET
Both clubs have produced high-scoring results in recent outings, mostly due to a soft slate of opponents. Houston smashed Baltimore for 33 total runs in their three-game set last week, with 23 of those coming in one game. Then, the Stros went on to plate 16 total runs in a three-game series with the White Sox.
The Athletics are coming off a nine-run showing in a win over the rival Giants and scored 42 combined runs over their recent eight-game road trip (San Francisco, White Sox and Cubs), for an average of 5.25 runs per game in that stretch.
Defensively, however, Houston and Oakland, rank among the MLB elite in ERA and have posted an Over/Under count of 2-5 in their last seven matchups. The double-digit total seems too high for what should be a heated series opener.
PREDICTION: Under 10
IF YOU'RE SHOPPING FOR THE NEW SPORTSBOOKS, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR IN-DEPTH REVIEWS!
MONEYLINE BET
The A’s are among the best teams in the majors at home, boasting a 37-23 record inside Oakland Coliseum, including winning 19 of their last 26 home stands. Fiers is remarkable at home as well, owning a 7-2 record and 2.54 ERA as a host.
Aaron Sanchez was solid in his first two appearances for the Astros since joining the team at the trade deadline. But it would seem like anyone would pitch with ease against the likes of the Mariners and ChiSox with 32 runs of support spread across those two games. Thursday will be the first real test in a Houston uniform for the right hander, who owns a 6.41 ERA and 2-8 record on the road this season (mostly with Toronto).
Houston has wobbled a bit during this current road run, losing back-to-back games to Chicago as a 300-plus moneyline favorite. We like the value with the short home underdog going with their red-hot ace.
PREDICTION: Oakland +110
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
21+. NJ only. Odds may vary. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
