NEWSLETTER
The Oakland Athletics (21-31) will look to JJ Bleday, with homers in two straight games, to pull off an upset win over the Houston Astros (22-28) Friday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Astros are -180 moneyline favorites for the game, which starts at 9:40 PM ET live on NBCS-CA.
Houston’s Justin Verlander and Oakland’s Ross Stripling have been named the starters for this contest.
Astros vs. Athletics Odds
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Game Time and Information
Who Will Win Astros vs. Athletics?
Astros and Athletics Betting Trends
The Astros have put together a 17-22 record in games they were listed as the moneyline favorite (winning 43.6% of those games).
Houston has a record of 7-3 when playing as moneyline favorites with odds of -180 or shorter (70% winning percentage).
This season, the Athletics have been the underdog 42 times and won 14, or 33.3%, of those games.
Oakland is 8-12 this season when entering a game as the underdog by +153 or more on the moneyline.
The Astros have had an over/under set by bookmakers 50 times, and have combined with opponents to go over the total in 20 of those games (20-27-3).
The Athletics and their opponents have gone over the total this season in 24 of their 51 opportunities.
Astros Stats & Insights
The Astros are the 10th-highest scoring team in baseball, averaging 4.6 runs per game (230 total).
Houston averages 1.2 home runs per game to rank fifth in MLB play with 62 total home runs.
The Astros lead MLB with a .264 batting average.
Houston strikes out the least in the majors, averaging 6.7 per game.
The 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings put together by the Astros pitching staff ranks 20th in MLB.
Houston has the 27th-ranked team ERA among all MLB pitching staffs (4.58).
Athletics Stats & Insights
The Athletics rank 23rd in the majors with 198 total runs scored this season.
Oakland has hit 65 homers this season, which ranks fourth in the majors.
The Athletics have a team batting average of just .223 this season, which ranks 28th among MLB teams.
Oakland ranks 29th in strikeouts per game (9.7) among MLB offenses.
The Athletics average just 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings as a pitching staff, which ranks 27th in the big leagues.
Oakland pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.49 ERA this year, which ranks 24th in MLB.
Astros Key Players to Watch
Verlander makes the start for the Astros, his seventh of the season. He is 2-2 with a 3.97 ERA and 26 strikeouts through 34 2/3 innings pitched.
Kyle Tucker is batting .288 this season with a team-high 17 home runs and 36 RBI.
Jose Altuve has 59 hits and an OBP of .348 to go with a slugging percentage of .473 this season.
Jeremy Pena is batting .326 to lead Houston, while adding five homers and 21 runs batted in this season.
Yordan Alvarez has 50 hits and an OBP of .341 to go with a slugging percentage of .455 this season.
Athletics Key Players to Watch
The Athletics will send Stripling (1-8) to the mound for his 11th start this season.
Brent Rooker leads the Athletics with 11 home runs and 32 runs batted in, while putting up a team-best batting average of .286.
Bleday is hitting .243 with 14 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 19 walks.
Abraham Toro is batting .282 with 11 doubles, a triple, five home runs and nine walks.
Shea Langeliers is hitting .212 with seven doubles, two triples, 10 home runs and 12 walks.
Astros and Athletics Injuries
Astros: Jose Urquidy: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Luis Garcia: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Oliver Ortega: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Penn Murfee: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Kendall Graveman: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)
Athletics: Esteury Ruiz: 10 Day IL (Wrist), Alex Wood: 15 Day IL (Rotator cuff), Paul Blackburn: 15 Day IL (Foot), Joseph Boyle: 15 Day IL (Back), Ken Waldichuk: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Trevor Gott: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Freddy Tarnok: 60 Day IL (Hip), Sean Newcomb: 60 Day IL (Knee), Luis Medina: 60 Day IL (Knee), Aledmys Díaz: 60 Day IL (Calf), Darell Hernaiz: 60 Day IL (Ankle)
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