Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Game 2 – 9/8/20 MLB Pick, Odds, and Prediction

The Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics meet Tuesday in game two of an MLB doubleheader at Minute Maid Park.

The Houston Astros need a win here to snap a five-game losing streak. The Astros have scored 11 runs in their last three games and four or more runs in five of their last six games. The Astros have lost five of their last six games when scoring four or more runs. Carlos Correa leads the Astros with 43 hits and 22 RBI while Yuli Gurriel and Kyle Tucker have combined for 81 hits and 53 RBI. Zack Greinke gets the ball, and he is 3-0 with a 2.91 ERA and 44 strikeouts this season. Greinke is 9-2 with a 2.74 ERA and 91 strikeouts in his career against the Athletics.

The Oakland Athletics look for a win after losing four of their last six games. The Athletics have scored 17 runs in their last three games and three or less runs in seven of their last 11 games. The Athletics have lost four of straight games when scoring three or less runs. Matt Chapman leads the Athletics with 33 hits and 25 RBI while Stephen Piscotty and Marcus Semien have combined for 64 hits and 40 RBI. Mike Minor gets the ball, and he is 0-5 this season with a 5.94 ER and 35 strikeouts this season. Minor is 3-4 wit ha 4.54 ERA and 69 strikeouts in his career against the Astros. 

Will update with trends once they’re released.

Zack Greinke has allowed 12 runs and 34 hits in his last 43 innings, while Mike Minor has allowed 17 runs and 25 hits in his last 25.2 innings. The Oakland Athletics are the better team here and a club I’ve backed a lot this season while also holding a future bet on them, but the Astros have a clear pitching advantage in this contest. Minor is not a pitcher I’m trying to get behind if we’re being completely honest. Minor has an ERA of nearly six and is allowing a .253 batting average on the season. No, thanks.

I have no choice but to side with the Astros and whatever the line is once it’s released.