The Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros meet Sunday in MLB action at Minute Maid Park. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Oakland Athletics Betting Preview

The Oakland Athletics have scored 6 runs in their last 3 games and 3 or fewer runs in 6 of their last 7 games. The Athletics have lost 26 straight games when scoring 3 or fewer runs. Esteury Ruiz leads the Athletics with 53 hits and 22 RBI, while Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers have combined for 71 hits and 52 RBI. James Kaprielian gets the ball, and he is 0-3 with a 10.17 ERA and 25 strikeouts this season. Kaprielian is 0-0 with a 2.89 ERA and 9 strikeouts in his career against the Astros.

Houston Astros Betting Preview

The Houston Astros have scored 15 runs in their last 3 games and 4 or more runs in 7 of their last 9 games. The Astros have won 7 straight games when scoring 4 or more runs. Mauricio Dubon leads the Astros with 46 hits and 8 RBI, while Kyle Tucker and Jeremy Pena have combined for 89 hits and 55 RBI. Framber Valdez gets the ball, and he is 3-4 with a 2.84 ERA and 65 strikeouts this season. Valdez is 2-3 with a 3.14 ERA and 45 strikeouts in his career against the Athletics.

Trends

The Athletics are 14-38 in their last 52 road games and 14-40 in their last 54 games on grass. The Astros are 73-34 in their last 107 home games and 62-30 in their last 92 overall. The under is 4-1 in Athletics last 5 overall. The under is 7-3 in Astros last 10 overall. The Athletics are 1-8 in the last 9 meetings in Houston and 1-8 in the last 9 meetings.

Randy’s Pick

As Ive said many ties in the past, I’m not in the business of backing the Oakland Athletics, a team that’s on pace to be easily the worst team in the league. James Kaprielian and his ERA over 10 doesn’t help the A’s case in this spot. There’s just no point in even trying to make a case for the Athletics. This team is in rough shape. Give me the Astros and the RL for max betting value.