Athletics vs. Astros Pick
Will the Houston Astros have any trouble with the Oakland Athletics when the two finish their weekend series today at 2:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Houston is the favorite at home, as the Astros are getting odds of -205 to win. Oakland is listed with a money line of +185 to win, while the over/under total for the game has been set at 10 runs.
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The pitching matchup today has Jharel Cotton (5-10, 5.92 ERA) on the mound for Oakland to face Brad Peacock (10-1, 3.30) of the Astros. Peacock has been a little shaky lately. He allowed four runs in 4.2 innings to Arizona earlier this week and gave up seven runs to the Blue Jays on Aug. 4. He has 121 strikeouts this season with 45 walks and a 1.28 WHIP. Cotton has really been struggling lately, allowing six run in his last two starts to the Mariners and Royals. He has 80 strikeouts with 42 walks this season and a 1.50 WHIP.
Houston has taken the first two games in this series and their last four overall against Oakland. The Astros won 3-1 on Friday and 3-0 on Saturday. Houston now sits at 76-47 overall and 36-26 at home. Oakland is 53-70 overall and 19-39 on the road.
Collin McHugh got the start he has been looking for on Saturday, allowing no runs and six hits over six innings to get his first win of 2017. The bullpen pitched three hitless innings as well. Kendall Graveman didn’t have a poor start, but took the loss after allowing two runs in six innings. Marwin Gonzalez had a two-run single to lead the Astros while Alex Bregman added his 15th home run of the season.
I don’t feel great about a few of Peacock’s recent outings, but he is still 10-1 on the year. Also, Oakland has really struggled at the plate this weekend. They have amassed just one run over two games against two pitchers that also came into those respective games struggling. Also, Cotton is certainly not going to slow down this Houston offense after struggling against the likes of Seattle and KC.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ASTROS -205