The Houston Astros will host the Oakland Athletics for the series finale on Thursday afternoon. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Athletics-Astros prediction and pick.
Houston will look to complete the sweep as they've defeated the Athletics in two tight games to open the series. The Astros defeated the A's in a slugfest on Tuesday and followed it up with a tight 4-3 victory in more of a pitcher's duel. Houston has been red-hot of late and will look to continue building on their divisional lead in a crucial AL West matchup.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Athletics-Astros odds.
MLB Odds: Athletics-Astros Odds
Oakland Athletics +1.5 (-130)
Houston Astros -1.5 (+110)
Over 9 Runs (+100)
Under 9 Runs (-120)
Why The Athletics Could Cover The Spread
Although the Oakland Athletics have had a few impressive winning streaks, they have not been playing very well since the middle of June. Since jumping out to a 44-27 record, the Athletics have fallen off with losses in 12 of their last 17 games to date. Oakland now trails Houston by 5.5 games in the division as they're just 10 games over .500 on the season.
Oakland has been wildly inconsistent with the bats and now averages 4.45 runs per game, which ranks 13th in the Majors. Matt Olson has been one of the lone consistent bright spots in this lineup with 20 home runs. The Athletics have been a better team on the road this season with a +0.87 run different away from Oakland. It will be up to the pitching staff to neutralize the Astros league-leading lineup in the finale.
The Athletics will hand the ball to right-hander Frankie Montas as they look to salvage the series. Montas has been serviceable this season with a 7-7 record and 4.63 ERA through 17 starts. He has been impressive in his last two starts against two of the top offensive clubs in the Giants and Red Sox. Montas has thrown at least five innings of two-run ball in each of his last two starts coming in.
Why The Astros Could Cover The Spread
The Houston Astros didn't have the start to the season that they would've liked, but have been one of the best teams in baseball since the month of June. They recently went on an 11-game winning streak and although they went through a brief cold spell afterward, they are right back on track. The Astros are on a six-game winning streak with a chance to sweep their division rivals.
Houston is undoubtedly the most explosive offensive club in baseball. They possess a loaded lineup with a ton of pop and consistent hitters. The Astros average 5.60 runs per game, which is by far the best in baseball. They average the most hits and the fewest strikeouts per game as well. Houston also has the eighth-ranked pitching staff in terms of runs allowed per game. Their +1.62 average run differential makes them one of the most complete teams in the Majors.
The Astros will turn to right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. as they look to complete the sweep. McCullers is having a dominant season with a 6-1 record and 2.97 ERA through 13 starts. He is 4-0 with a 2.48 ERA through his last seven starts as well. The Astros starter has thrown at least five innings of two-run ball in each of his last three starts. He is quickly becoming one of the most effective starting pitchers in the entire American League.
Final Athletics-Astros Prediction & Pick
I'm picking the Houston Astros to complete the sweep with their seventh-straight win. Although Frankie Montas has been productive for the A's, he hasn't been as consistently good as Lance McCullers Jr. McCullers has been dominant for Houston and is almost guaranteed to get the run support he needs every time out. The Athletics have struggled of late and the Astros are not a team that you can afford to struggle against.
FINAL PICK: Houston Astros ML (-170)
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