Athletics vs. Astros Prediction
The Oakland Athletics enjoyed a second straight win at the Houston Astros yesterday after being blown out in the series opener. Can Oakland stay hot with another win in tonight’s series finale?
Game Snapshot
921 Oakland Athletics at 922 Houston Astros
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Minute Maid Park at 8:10PM ET
TV: ATT SportsNet-SW
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Astros are a -275 favorite to win on the moneyline. The A’s are a +250 underdog, while the total is set at 9 runs. As of Thursday afternoon, 75 percent of public bets are being placed on host Houston. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for up-to-date info.
Semien, Murphy power A’s
Oakland secured a 5-3 victory Wednesday night at Oakland to improve to 86-60 overall and 38-33 on the road. Marcus Semien helped lead the A’s offensively as he went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored. Sean Murphy was 1-for-4 with a solo homer. Matt Olson ended the contest 1-for-4 with a double, a run and an RBI. Brett Anderson notched the win as he gave up two earned runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and three walks over five innings. Liam Hendriks recorded the save as he struck out two in a perfect inning of work. Homer Bailey draws the start tonight for Oakland as he enters with a 12-8 record, 4.87 ERA and 1.35 WHIP plus 131 strikeouts across 146 innings pitched.
James roughed up in relief
Houston fell by a score of 5-3 at home Wednesday night against Oakland to drop to 95-52 overall and 56-19 at home. Josh James took the loss as he allowed four earned runs on three hits in relief without recording an out. George Springer helped lead the Astros offense as he went 2-for-4 with a solo home run. Martin Maldonado was 2-for-3 with a solo homer. Yordan Alvarez ended the contest 2-for-4 with a run scored. Justin Verlander gets the start tonight as he comes in with an 18-5 record, 2.52 ERA and 0.77 WHIP plus 264 strikeouts over 200 innings.
MLB Betting Trends
Oakland
The A’s are 5-0 in their last five Thursday games. Oakland is 49-24 in its last 73 games overall.
Houston
The Astros are 5-1 in the last six Verlander home starts. Houston is 36-15 in its last 51 games overall.
Prediction:
Go big or go home? Screw it. The A’s have been great over the last few months and already won two in a row in Houston, so why not here? Of course there is the Verlander factor, but Bailey has settled in with the A’s and has the capability of going toe-to-toe with the best. Houston torched Bailey earlier this season, but I trust him a lot more now. This bet certainly comes with risk but I like the big dogs in this spot.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ASTROS +250