Oakland Athletics vs
Houston AstrosPredictions & Preview

Astros favored to win against Athletics in upcoming series at Daikin Park

The Athletics will be looking to take the series lead against the Astros as they face off in a four-game series starting at 8:10 PM ET at Daikin Park on Thursday night. Luis Severino will get the start for the Athletics, with the Astros yet to announce their starting pitcher for the game. Houston has a 6-4 record in their last 10 games against the Athletics. Stay tuned to see which team comes out on top in this Athletics vs. Astros matchup. Please note that this preview was written before Wednesday's games were played.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Athletics +128 | Astros -144
• Spread: Athletics +1.5 (-175) | Astros -1.5 (+152)
• Total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 59%.

Oakland Athletics

Currently, the Athletics are struggling as they have lost three of their last four games. They are in fifth place in the AL West standings, eight games behind fourth place. In order to improve their standing, they will need to secure a win on Thursday. Offensively, the Athletics rank 20th in the league with an average of 4.24 runs per game and 14th with a .248 batting average. On the defensive side, they are giving up an average of 5.65 runs per game, which is second to last in the league. In his last start, Severino gave up three hits and two runs in five innings, leading to an 8-2 win over Cleveland. He has a 2-5 record with a 4.52 ERA in 12 games against Houston.

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros have regained their momentum after a series loss to Seattle by securing a series win over Arizona. Currently leading the AL West with a five-game lead over the Mariners, they aim to further increase their division lead in their upcoming game on Thursday. Houston's offensive statistics rank them highly in the league, with a batting average of .259 (second in the league) and an average of 4.41 runs per game (14th in the league). Jeremy Pena leads the team with a .322 batting average, Isaac Paredes leads with 19 home runs, and José Altuve leads with 53 RBI. Defensively, Houston is performing exceptionally well, giving up an average of 3.78 runs per game (third in the league) and holding opponents to a .225 batting average (second in the league). Their ERA of 3.59 ranks them fifth in the league, and their 1.17 WHIP is second.

Houston Astros Poised to Dominate Oakland Athletics in Matchup Due to Pitching and Offensive Strengths

The Houston Astros have won three of their last four games, while the Oakland Athletics have lost three of their last four games. Houston holds an advantage in this matchup due to their strong performance against right-handed pitchers. Additionally, the Athletics' starting pitcher, Severino, has struggled this season, allowing 12 runs in his last three starts and 16 runs in his last three road starts. With a weak bullpen, Oakland will face challenges in containing the Astros' offense.

On the offensive side, the Athletics have not been as successful at the plate and will continue to struggle against Houston's top-tier pitching staff. Despite scoring 20 runs in six games against Houston this season, they are expected to face difficulties offensively once again. It is recommended to consider placing a bet on Houston to win.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]