Astros vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

A losing streak will come to an end Friday when the Houston Astros (28-21), losers of two straight, take on the Oakland Athletics (10-42). The Athletics are hoping to avoid their eighth loss in a row. The Astros are -275 favorites to snap out of their slide when the teams hit the field at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET on NBCS-CA.

Houston’s Hunter Brown gets the start, and he’ll go against Oakland’s James Kaprielian.

Astros vs. Athletics Odds

Astros odds to win: -275
Athletics odds to win: +224
Spread: Astros -1.5
Total: 8.5 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Friday, May 26, 2023
Time: 9:40 PM ET
TV: NBCS-CA

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Who Will Win Astros vs. Athletics?

Astros and Athletics Betting Trends

The Astros have gone 18-16 in games they were favored on the moneyline (winning 52.9% of those games).

Houston has gone 2-1 (winning 66.7% of its games) when playing as moneyline favorites of -275 or shorter.

This season, the Athletics have won 10 out of the 51 games, or 19.6%, in which they’ve been the underdog.

Oakland has not won as an underdog of +224 or more on the moneyline this season in nine such games.

The Astros have played in 49 games with a set over/under, and have combined with their opponents to go over the total 23 times (23-25-1).

The Athletics and their opponents have gone over the total this season in 28 of their 52 opportunities.

Astros Stats & Insights

The Astros are the 21st-highest scoring team in MLB action averaging 4.3 runs per game (213 total).

Houston averages 0.9 home runs per game to rank 24th in baseball with 45 total home runs .

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

Houston’s hitters strike out eight times per game, the sixth-lowest average in baseball.

The 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings compiled by the Astros pitching staff ranks second in the majors.

Houston has a 3.25 team ERA that ranks first among all MLB pitching staffs.

Athletics Stats & Insights

The Athletics have scored the 28th-most runs in the league this season with just 183 (3.5 per game).

Oakland’s 54 home runs rank 19th in Major League Baseball.

The Athletics have a team batting average of just .222 this season, which ranks last among MLB teams.

Oakland ranks 28th 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 has pitched to a 6.88 ERA this season, which ranks 30th in baseball.

Astros Key Players to Watch

Brown gets the start for the Astros, his 10th of the season. He is 4-1 with a 3.37 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings pitched.

Yordan Alvarez is batting .297 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI. All three of those stats are tops among Houston hitters this season.

Kyle Tucker has 48 hits and an OBP of .356 to go with a slugging percentage of .448 this season.

Alex Bregman has 41 hits this season and a slash line of .219/.326/.358.

Jeremy Pena is batting .242 with an OBP of .286 and a slugging percentage of .405 this season.

Athletics Key Players to Watch

The Athletics will send Kaprielian (0-4) to the mound for his sixth start this season.

Esteury Ruiz has racked up a team-best batting average of .276.

Brent Rooker has shown off his power as he leads his team with 11 home runs and 32 runs batted in.

Ryan Noda has 10 doubles, a triple, four home runs and 32 walks while hitting .232.

Shea Langeliers is batting .204 with five doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 13 walks.

Astros and Athletics Injuries

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

Athletics: Zach Jackson: 15 Day IL (Undisclosed), Drew Rucinski: 15 Day IL (Illness), 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)