2020-09-07 21:10:00 EDT
The Houston Astros and the Oakland Athletics meet Monday in MLB action from O.co Coliseum.
This will be the first installment of a lengthy five-game set between these teams. The Astros are coming off a weekend set versus the Angels. Houston lost the first pair 6-5 and 10-9, and in the Sunday finale the Astros were beaten again, this time 9-5. As for the Athletics, they played the Padres over the weekend. Oakland split the first two games there 7-0 (loss) and 8-4 (win). On Sunday, the A’s lost the series with a 5-3 defeat. Check back all season long for free MLB picks and MLB predictions at Sports Chat Place.
The Astros notched just six hits to the Angels’ 12 in the Sunday loss, and a four-run eighth inning is what did the team in ultimately. Kyle Tucker slapped a two-run homer in that one, and starting pitcher Framber Valdez posted 7.0 innings, 11 hits, eight earned, two walks and two strikeouts in the loss.
For the Monday starting pitcher role, Houston will roll out Cristian Javier. This season in eight games (seven starts), Javier is 4-1 with a 3.35 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 37.2 innings. This is the 23-year-old Javier’s first season in the MLB.
Over on the Athletics’ side, Sunday starting pitcher Jaime Barria went 5.0 innings with three hits, three earned, two walks, two homers allowed and six strikeouts. Anthony Rendon had a nice game with two hits and a two-run homer in the third inning. He’s got eight long balls on the year.
In their Monday starter role, Oakland will send out Frankie Montas. Over seven starts this year, Montas is 2-3 with a 6.06 ERA and 33 Ks in 32.2 innings of work. Over his MLB career, Montas holds a 17-12 record with a 4.15 ERA and 235 Ks in 240.2 innings total.
The Astros are 54-17 in their last 71 during game one of a series and 69-28 in their last 97 versus the American League West. Houston is 5-16 in their last 21 games as an underdog and the over is 5-1 in their last six Monday games.
Meanwhile, the A’s are 41-15 in their last 56 home games and 82-33 in their last 115 games as a home favorite. Oakland is 20-9 in the last 29 overall and 2-5 in their last seven Monday games.
Pick: I’m leaning Astros here. Montas has had some rough outings over his last three starts. In that time, he’s put up a 16.76 ERA. It’s a far cry from the beginning of the season, when Montas managed an AL Player of the Week selection. As for Javier he’s been solid overall and will get another crack at Oakland here. In his last game versus the A’s, Javier went three innings with five earned on August 9. I think Javier will get some revenge here with a good outing.
