Astros vs. Athletics Pick
Are the Houston Astros going to start today’s doubleheader at the Oakland Athletics with a victory? First pitch is at 4:05PM EST.
Oddsmakers at sports book Bovada.lv have set the Astros as a -183 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Athletics are a +158 underdog and the over-under is 9.5.
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On the mound for Houston will be Charlie Morton (11-6, 3.87 ERA), while Oakland is going with Daniel Gossett (3-8, 5.32). Morton has a 1.22 WHIP with 139 strikeouts over 123 1/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs on six hits with nine strikeouts and one walk over five innings in a 12-8 home win over the Mets his last start. Morton has a 4.35 ERA in seven road starts. Gossett has a 1.54 WHIP with 55 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings. He surrendered three earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and five walks over 3 2/3 innings of a 10-2 loss at the Mariners his last start.
Houston comes in with an 86-54 record and is 45-23 on the road, while Oakland is 60-80 and 39-33 at home. The Astros have won seven of the last 10 meetings and the over-under is 5-5 in those games.
On Friday night, the Athletics posted a 9-8 victory as they scored twice in the bottom of the ninth. Jed Lowrie won it with a game-winning RBI single. Marcus Semien was 2-for-5 with a home run, two runs and four RBIs to pace the offense. Matt Joyce finished 2-for-4 with a home run and a double. Ryan Healy was 3-for-4 with a double and a run. Matt Chapman was 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs and two RBIs. Boog Powell was 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs. Blake Treinen picked up the win in relief. Josh Reddick was 3-for-3 with a home run, two doubles, two walks, two runs and four RBIs to lead the Astros. Jose Altuve was 2-for-5 with a home run, a double, two runs and two RBIs. Yuli Gurriel contributed a two-run homer. Brian McCann was 2-for-3 with a walk. Ken Giles took the loss in relief.
A poor effort late in the game by the Houston bullpen blew Friday’s game. Don’t expect a repeat. If Morton can work through six or maybe seven innings, the Astros will be in fantastic shape because their offense is much too powerful for Gossett to handle.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ASTROS -183