Astros vs. Athletics Pick
Can the Houston Astros avoid another upset loss when they open their series with the Oakland Athletics tonight at 10:05PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Astros are favored on the road tonight, as they are getting odds of -145 to win. The Athletics are listed with a money line of +135 at home, while the over/under total has been set at 9 runs. These two have met five times this season and Houston has won four of the five encounters, including two in Oakland.
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The pitching matchup for today’s game has Brad Peacock (3-1, 3.00 ERA) taking the mound for Houston to face Daniel Gossett (0-1, 16.20) of the Athletics. After starting the season in relief, Peacock is now set to make his sixth start. His starts haven’t latest too long, as he has a total of 22.2 innings over the five starts. This season he has 58 strikeouts in 39 innings and his WHIP is 1.21. Gossett is making just the second start of his career. His first saw him give up six earned runs over 3.1 innings, allowing six hits and one walk with just one strikeout against the Marlins.
Since their long win streak ended, the Astros have been in a bit of a funk, losing six of their last nine, including two of three to Boston this weekend. Houston is 46-24 overall and an impressive 23-8 at home. The Astros are putting up 5.41 runs per game this season while allowing 3.90 per game. Houston is being led by George Springer, who has 19 home runs with 44 RBI. Jose Altuve is hitting .331 and has 20 doubles, 10 home runs, 34 RBI and 12 stolen bases.
Oakland is actually coming off a really impressive four-game sweep of the Yankees at home this weekend. The Athletics are now 31-38 overall and 22-13 at home. Oakland is putting up 4.32 runs per game while allowing 5.35 per contest. The Athletics are being led by Khris Davis, who has 18 home runs and 45 RBI. Jed Lowrie is adding 22 doubles with eight homers and 24 RBI.
Oakland is playing really well, but the Athletics aren’t going to get much help on the mound today from Gossett. He struggled mightily against the Marlins last week. I can’t imagine it will go well against a much better lineup in Houston. Peacock hasn’t been going deep into games, but Houston has one of the better bullpens in baseball. I like Houston to get back to winning tonight.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ASTROS -145