Astros vs. A’s, 10/5/20 Game 1 AL Divisional MLB Playoff Predictions

Astros vs. A's Game 1 Prediction

Game 1 of the AL Divisional Round playoffs between the Astros and A’s will take place on Monday afternoon in a game that Oakland is favored to beat Houston. With the total also sitting at 8 runs, what’s the best play for bettors when it comes to this matchup?

Game Snapshot

903 Houston Astros (+132) at 904 Oakland A’s (-142); o/u 8

4:07 p.m. ET, Monday, October 5, 2020

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

TV: TBS

Houston Astros DFS Spin

Lance McCullers will start the first game of the ALDS against the Athletics on Wednesday. McCullers will get the ball in Game 1 against the A's, and Framber Valdez will follow for the Astros in Game 2. In his first season back from Tommy John surgery, the right-hander finished with an ERA of 3.93 with 56 strikeouts in 55 innings. He'll go up against Chris Bassitt on Monday, with Valdez squaring off with Sean Manaea in an all-lefty matchup on Tuesday. It seems very likely that Zack Greinke -- who started the first game of the Wild Card series against the Twins -- will pitch Game 3.

Oakland A’s DFS Spin

Chris Bassitt will start Monday for the Athletics in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Astros. They could have gone with Jesus Luzardo or Sean Manaea -- who didn't pitch in the Wild Card Series versus the White Sox -- in Game 1, but giving Bassitt the ball first gives the A's the option to bring him back for a potential Game 5 on short rest. Manaea will start Game 2, with Luzardo seemingly lined up for Game 3 if he's not used in relief before then. Bassitt allowed just one run over seven-plus innings last week against the White Sox.

Astros vs. A’s Game 1 Betting Prediction

The Astros have dropped four of their last five meetings with the A’s and are 5-13 in their last 18 games when listed as an underdog. They’re also 1-4 in their last five matchups with divisional opponents and have lost eight of their last 10 games when coming off a win. On the other side, the A”s are 67-31 in their last 98 games as a favorite, are 20-8 in their last 28 games when the total for their game is set between 7 and 8.5 runs and they’ve won six of their last seven games when their opponent allows two runs or less in their previous game.

MLB POSTSEASON BETTING PREDICTION: OAKLAND A’S -142