Oakland Athletics (19-24) vs. Houston Astros (16-25)
May 15, 2024 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Astros -233 / Oakland Athletics +192; Over/Under: +8
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oakland Athletics and the Houston Astros meet Wednesday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. Here’s a Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics prediction. This will be the third installment in a four-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Oakland A’s Betting Preview
The Athletics played the Seattle Mariners in their weekend set. Oakland managed an 8-1 win in the Saturday game two but otherwise lost 8-1 and 8-4 in the other pair. Following another loss 9-2 versus Houston Monday, in game two the A’s took a tough loss 2-1. JP Sears put up 5.0 innings in the start with one earned run on five hits and a walk.
In the starter slot for the Athletics on Wednesday it’ll be Aaron Brooks. This will be Brooks’ season debut. Over his career he’s 9-13 with a 6.55 ERA in 52 games (29 starts) total.
Houston Astros Betting Preview
Over on the Astros’ side, their weekend series versus the Detroit Tigers was a success. Houston lost 8-2 Saturday but otherwise took the set with wins 5-2 and 9-3 in the other pair. Following their Monday win, on Tuesday the Astros managed six team hits in the walk-off victory. Starter Ronel Blanco managed 3.0 clean frames, four hits, one walk and four Ks.
It’ll be Framber Valdez in the starter role for the Astros on Wednesday. This season over his five starts Valdez is 2-1 with a 3.64 ERA and 23 Ks in 29.2 innings. Valdez is 55-35 with a 3.41 ERA in 134 games (112 starts) over his career.
A’s vs Astros Injury Notes
A’s SP Alex Wood (shoulder) was sent back to Oakland for an evaluation early this week. SP Ken Waldichuk will undergo left elbow surgery on Wednesday.
Astros LF Chas McCormick (hamstring) was scheduled for two games with Double-A Corpus Christi this week.
Why the Houston Astros will win
- The Athletics have lost each of their last nine games at Minute Maid Park against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- The Astros have won each of their last eight Wednesday games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Athletics have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six Wednesday night games as underdogs against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have covered the run line in three of their last four games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Astros have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games against opponents that held a losing record.
- The Athletics have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five games at Minute Maid Park against American League opponents that held a losing record.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
- Alex Bregman has hit at least one home run in each of the Astros’ last three games against the Athletics.
- Framber Valdez has recorded seven or more strikeouts in each of his last seven home appearances against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- Alex Bregman has scored at least one run in each of the Astros’ last four games.
- Kyle Tucker has recorded a Double in four of the Astros’ last five night games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Chas McCormick has recorded at least one total base in each of his last nine appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Victor Caratini has recorded an RBI in each of his last four appearances against the Athletics after playing the previous day.
- Chas McCormick has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Jose Abreu has recorded at least one Single in each of his last 10 Wednesday appearances against teams that held a losing record.
- Framber Valdez has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances against the Athletics.
- Kyle Tucker ranks 1st in the league in Home Runs (13) this season.
Oakland Athletics Player Prop Facts
- Brent Rooker has hit at least one home run in eight of his last 19 appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Brent Rooker has recorded at least one hit in each of the Athletics’ last eight road games.
- Brent Rooker has recorded at least one total base in each of the Athletics’ last eight games as underdogs.
- Brent Rooker has recorded at least one Single in each of the Athletics’ last eight games.
- Ryan Noda has recorded an RBI in three of his last four appearances against the Astros.
- Ryan Noda has scored at least one run in each of his last four appearances at Minute Maid Park.
- Brent Rooker ranks T7th in the league in Home Runs (10) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Houston Astros rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (276).
- The Houston Astros rank 2nd in the league for batting average this season (.261).
- The Oakland Athletics rank 28th in the league for batting average this season (.222).
- The Oakland Athletics rank 28th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.298).
Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics Prediction
I’ll stay with Houston but the line’s too thick to mess with. It’ll be interesting to see what Brooks can do in his season debut, though. As for Valdez. he had a rough outing versus Seattle on May 4 with five earned over 5.1 innings. Valdez was able to bounce back in his last start however, notching 7.0 frames with two earned in a win over the Tigers.
On Tuesday the Astros got two hits and a solo homer from Alex Bregman. Victor Caratini added the other RBI. Houston burned through a lot of pitchers along the way (six total), though. Valdez will need a good start but the Astros should be okay for the game three.
