Astros vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, May 19, 2023

May 19, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The Houston Astros (24-19) will vie for their fifth straight victory when they host the Oakland Athletics (10-35) on Friday at 8:10 PM ET on SportsNet SW. The Astros are listed as -265 favorites by sportsbooks, while the Athletics are +217 underdogs.

Houston’s Brandon Bielak and Oakland’s Ken Waldichuk have been named the starters for this contest.

Astros vs. Athletics Odds

Astros odds to win: -265
Athletics odds to win: +217
Spread: Astros -1.5
Total: 9.5 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Friday, May 19, 2023
Time: 8:10 PM ET
TV: SportsNet SW

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Who Will Win Astros vs. Athletics?

Astros and Athletics Betting Trends

The Astros have won 15 of the 29 games they were listed as the moneyline favorite this season (51.7%).

Houston has played as moneyline favorites of -265 or shorter in only one game this season, which it lost.

This season, the Athletics have won 10 out of the 44 games, or 22.7%, in which they’ve been the underdog.

Oakland has not won as an underdog of +217 or more on the moneyline this season in seven such games.

In the 43 games in which bookmakers have set an over/under for the Astros, they have combined with opponents to go over the total 22 times (22-20-1).

Games involving the Athletics have gone over the total set by oddsmakers in 27 of 45 chances this season.

Astros Stats & Insights

The Astros have the No. 15 offense in MLB play scoring 4.4 runs per game (191 total runs).

Houston ranks 25th in MLB with 38 total home runs.

The Astros have the 16th-ranked batting average in the majors (.244).

Houston strikes out 8.2 times per game, the sixth-fewest average in MLB.

The 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings put together by the Astros pitching staff ranks first in the majors.

Houston has a 3.37 team ERA that ranks first across all MLB pitching staffs.

Athletics Stats & Insights

The Athletics have scored 173 runs (just 3.8 per game) this season, which ranks 26th in MLB.

Oakland’s 53 home runs rank 12th in Major League Baseball.

The Athletics have a team batting average of just .228 this season, which ranks 26th among MLB teams.

Oakland ranks last in strikeouts per game (9.4) among MLB offenses.

The Athletics average just 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings as a pitching staff, which ranks 28th in the league.

Oakland pitchers have a combined ERA of 7.13 ERA this year, which ranks 30th in MLB.

Astros Key Players to Watch

The Astros will look to Bielak (0-1) in his third start of the season.

Yordan Alvarez is batting .287 this season with a team-high nine home runs and 39 RBI.

Alex Bregman has collected 36 hits this season and has an OBP of .340. He’s slugging .379 on the year.

Kyle Tucker has collected 42 base hits, an OBP of .354 and a slugging percentage of .444 this season.

Jeremy Pena has 43 hits and an OBP of .303 to go with a slugging percentage of .440 this season.

Athletics Key Players to Watch

The Athletics will hand the ball to Waldichuk (1-2) for his ninth start of the season.

Brent Rooker has accumulated a team-best batting average of .295, and paces the Athletics in home runs (11) and runs batted in (30).

Esteury Ruiz is batting .277 with 12 doubles, a triple, a home run and seven walks.

Ryan Noda is hitting .215 with eight doubles, a triple, four home runs and 30 walks.

Shea Langeliers is hitting .226 with three doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 12 walks.

Astros and Athletics Injuries

Astros: Michael Brantley: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), Jose Urquidy: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Luis Garcia: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Parker Mushinski: 15 Day IL (Spine)

Athletics: Seth Brown: 10 Day IL (Oblique), Zach Jackson: 15 Day IL (Undisclosed), Trevor May: 15 Day IL (Personal), Mason Miller: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Paul Blackburn: 15 Day IL (Finger), Dany Jimenez: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Freddy Tarnok: 60 Day IL (Undisclosed), Kirby Snead: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Manny Piña: 60 Day IL (Wrist)