Oakland Athletics vs
Houston AstrosPredictions & Preview

Houston Astros Look to Continue Dominance Over Oakland Athletics in Afternoon Showdown

On Thursday, the Oakland Athletics will take on the Houston Astros in an afternoon matchup in the American League West. Mitch Spence will start for the A's, while Framber Valdez will take the mound for the Astros. The game is set to begin at 2:10 ET at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX. Currently, Houston is the favored team with a betting line of -260.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Athletics +225 | Astros -260
• Spread: Athletics +1.5 (+108) | Astros -1.5 (-128)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 72%.

Oakland vs Houston Stats

Oakland Athletics

Oakland Athletics are currently 13.5 games out of first place in the A.L. West with a record of 64-82. Despite their underwhelming season, there have been some positive developments for the team, such as the emergence of players like Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler. The Athletics are on the verge of sweeping the Astros in their recent series, with Joey Estes earning a win in Wednesday's game. Mitch Spence will be starting the next game, showcasing his serviceable performance throughout the season. Currently ranked 25th in power rankings, the Athletics have struggled offensively and defensively this season, averaging 4.06 runs per game and allowing 4.70 runs against them per game.

Houston Astros Analysis

The Houston Astros have overcome a slow start to the season and are currently leading the A.L. West by 4.0 games, making them the favorites to win their fourth straight division title. They are also priced at +1000 to win the World Series, with the sixth-shortest odds in the market. Despite recent struggles, including three straight losses, the Astros have a strong offense led by Alex Bregman and solid pitching from Framber Valdez. Valdez has been particularly impressive, with a 14-6 record and a 2.97 ERA. The Astros have a power ranking of 10 and are ranked #12 for offense, averaging 4.61 runs per game, and #5 for defense, giving up 4.01 runs per game. In their last three matchups against Oakland, Houston has won two out of three games.

Framber Valdez leads Houston Astros to prime position for decisive win against Oakland Athletics

The Houston Astros have an opportunity to bounce back from their recent struggles with the support of their top pitcher, Framber Valdez. Valdez has contributed to 12 wins in his last 13 starts, with the majority of those victories being by multiple runs. Additionally, Houston will be facing Oakland’s Mitch Spence, who has a modest 4.42 ERA this season. The Astros have historically performed well against Spence, boasting a .286/.375/.714 slash line in just seven at-bats. Furthermore, in the previous matchups between these teams, the Athletics have consistently faltered in the series finale, being outscored 21-4. Given these factors, it appears that Houston is in a prime position to secure a decisive win under the leadership of their star pitcher.

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