AL West rivals with identical records as of Wednesday night are set to pick their series back up in Houston where the Astros will attempt to continue crawling back into contention against an Athletics team that’s owned them of late.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The A’s have proven to be one of the more streakier teams in the league over the course of the first two months of the season. Already owners of four game losing streaks numerous times, Oakland has combatted that by ripping off five and six game win streaks as well. They’re currently in the midst of a five gamer after sweeping the Twins and taking two of three from the Tigers. For the streak to remain alive in this series, Bob Melvin’s troops must improve their play on the road that’s seen them play to a sub .500 record (12-13, $151).
The Astros have no doubt been this season’s biggest disappointment after going off the betting board as the odds on favorite to reach the World Series out of the AL in the futures market. MLB bettors were pounding their season win total over the number before the season began, but A.J. Hinch’s squad got out to a really slow start and are only now just climbing their way back in it. Houston has cost its betting backers upwards of $1000 to date, but it’s currently on a five game win streak to claw to within 6.5 games of the front running Mariners.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Oakland’s starting staff has left much to be desired this season with its No. 26 ranked ERA, No. 24 ranked WHIP and No. 21 ranking in the quality starts department. However, veteran southpaw Rich Hill has been the diamond in the rough that could lead to some young talent coming in by the trade deadline with him now their biggest trade chip. He’s the team leader in strikeouts (74), wins (8) and WHIP. He’s tossed quality efforts in each of his last four starts, and has been at his absolute best on the road where he’s 6-0 with a stellar 1.40 ERA and .190 batting average against. He took the loss in a tough 2-1 defeat versus the Astros earlier this season.
Collin McHugh got ripped in his first start of the season against the Yankees who touched him up for five earned on just three hits. He failed to get out of the 1st inning, and because of it, he’s had to chip away at his peripherals all season long. Since posting a 6.65 ERA in April, he went 4-2 in the month of May and sported a 3.83 ERA. The righty will enter his twelfth start of the season off his best outing yet after throwing a complete game five hitter at the D’backs. While he’s still giving up a bevy of hits, he’s been going deeper into games and has the better of the two bullpens backing him up in this matchup.
LIVE BETTING
George Springer is on a tear over the last week having raked 13 hits in his last 31 at-bats which equates to a rock solid .419 batting average. He’s left the yard three times and knocked in 8 RBI while hitting eight singles and a pair of doubles. He’s OPSing 1.229 during that stretch!
Even better knows for DFS players and prop bettors is the fact that he’s been even better against left-handed pitching in batting .375, and that’s exactly what he’ll be tasked with facing in this spot.
QUICK PICK
I’m still not fully convinced the Astros are all the way back. The team still leads the league in strikeouts and will be facing an opposing pitcher that averages 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings. That is not a formula for success or any type of consistency.
Khris Davis and Danny Valencia are a fearsome duo that McHugh is going to have to figure out how to keep in check, and I’m just not sold that he’s going to be able to keep each of them at bay in the band box otherwise known as Minute Maid Park.
Houston’s just 4-9 and down $650 versus lefties on the year. If Hill’s dogged in this one, jump on the A’s bandwagon – there’s still plenty of room!
MLB Odds: Athletics 6, Astros 3
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