Houston (74-47) at Oakland (72-49)
When: Friday, August 17th 2018
Where: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Time: 10:05 ET | TV: MLB Network
Opening Odds: Houston -130/8
The Oakland A’s have been playing catch-up all season long, but they finally have the American League West in their sites, and will look to overtake the Houston Astros when the teams begin a key three-game weekend series on Friday night. The slumping Astros snapped a nine-game home losing streak on Wednesday with a 12-1 triumph over the Colorado Rockies as catcher Evan Gattis broke out of a slump in a big way. He was in a 0-for-19 skid until busting out with three hits including two home runs in the victory over Colorado to keep Houston’s lead in the West to two games over Oakland entering the weekend series. Matt Chapman is riding a career-best 13-game hitting streak for the A’s while reaching base in 29 consecutive contests, but the third baseman is only 10-for-44 with 14 strikeouts versus the Astros this season and 1-for-5 against Friday starter Charlie Morton. Athletics first baseman Matt Olson is 6-for-17 with three doubles and two RBIs during his four-game hitting streak, but just 5-for-47 with 15 strikeouts against Houston. The Astros took eight of the first nine meetings this season, but Oakland responded by taking three of four from July 9-12.
Pitchers: Astros – Charlie Morton (12-3, 2.88 ERA) | Athletics – Edwin Jackson (4-2, 2.48)
Morton is coming off a decent effort against Seattle on Saturday, allowing three runs in six innings, but lost for the first time since July 1st. Morton has been better on the road this season, posting a 4-1 record with a 2.73 ERA in 10 starts – including eight quality starts. He received a no-decision in his lone outing this season versus Oakland after allowing three runs on six hits in 4.1 innings on July 12th.
Edwin Jackson is 3-0 in his last three outings, allowing just a run on 11 hits with 14 Ks in 19.1 innings. The veteran righty is coming off a 7.1-inning gem against the Los Angeles Angels, permitting just three hits and no runs in the victory. He is 2-2 with a 4.17 ERA in eight career meetings (seven starts) against Houston.
Jackson has allowed exactly zero earned runs in this last three starts and has been a big boost for the Oakland staff. Despite scoring 12 runs in their last game, the Houston offense has been struggling. I like the momentum Oakland brings into this series and I say they get the opener on Friday.
Pick: A’s +133
BETTING TRENDS:
- Astros are 6-1 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Astros are 5-1 in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Astros are 37-14 in their last 51 road games.
- Astros are 52-23 in their last 75 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Astros are 65-31 in their last 96 games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Astros are 35-17 in their last 52 during game 1 of a series.
- Astros are 35-17 in their last 52 games following a win.
- Astros are 43-21 in their last 64 Friday games.
- Astros are 84-41 in their last 125 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Astros are 57-28 in their last 85 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Astros are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
- Astros are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Astros are 1-5 in their last 6 overall.
- Astros are 1-5 in their last 6 games on grass.
- Astros are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. American League West.
- Astros are 4-0 in Morton’s last 4 Friday starts.
- Astros are 18-3 in Morton’s last 21 starts with 5 days of rest.
- Astros are 13-3 in Morton’s last 16 starts during game 1 of a series.
- Astros are 7-2 in Morton’s last 9 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Astros are 5-2 in Morton’s last 7 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Astros are 5-2 in Morton’s last 7 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
- Astros are 5-2 in Morton’s last 7 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Astros are 12-5 in Morton’s last 17 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Astros are 7-3 in Morton’s last 10 starts on grass.
- Astros are 2-5 in Morton’s last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Athletics are 4-0 in their last 4 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Athletics are 11-2 in their last 13 games following a loss.
- Athletics are 13-3 in their last 16 vs. American League West.
- Athletics are 17-4 in their last 21 home games.
- Athletics are 38-13 in their last 51 overall.
- Athletics are 38-13 in their last 51 games on grass.
- Athletics are 23-9 in their last 32 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Athletics are 35-17 in their last 52 games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Athletics are 43-21 in their last 64 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Athletics are 1-4 in their last 5 games following an off day.
- Athletics are 1-5 in their last 6 Friday games.
- Athletics are 1-8 in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
- Athletics are 4-0 in Jackson’s last 4 starts.
- Athletics are 4-0 in Jackson’s last 4 starts on grass.
- Athletics are 4-1 in Jackson’s last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
- Under is 5-0 in Astros last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Under is 8-1-1 in Astros last 10 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Under is 10-2-1 in Astros last 13 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Under is 14-3-2 in Astros last 19 road games.
- Under is 4-1 in Astros last 5 overall.
- Under is 4-1 in Astros last 5 on grass.
- Under is 4-1 in Astros last 5 Friday games.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Astros last 6 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Astros last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 7-2-1 in Astros last 10 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 6-2 in Astros last 8 vs. American League West.
- Under is 5-2-1 in Astros last 8 games following an off day.
- Under is 10-4-1 in Astros last 15 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 37-17-2 in Astros last 56 during game 1 of a series.
- Over is 15-7-2 in Astros last 24 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
- Under is 4-0 in Morton’s last 4 starts on grass.
- Under is 4-0 in Morton’s last 4 road starts.
- Under is 4-0 in Morton’s last 4 starts overall.
- Under is 4-0 in Morton’s last 4 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 5-0 in Morton’s last 5 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 6-1 in Morton’s last 7 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
- Under is 6-1 in Morton’s last 7 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Morton’s last 5 Friday starts.
- Under is 4-1 in Morton’s last 5 starts vs. American League West.
- Under is 6-2 in Morton’s last 8 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 10-4 in Morton’s last 14 starts with 5 days of rest.
- Under is 5-2 in Morton’s last 7 starts during game 1 of a series.
- Under is 9-4 in Morton’s last 13 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
- Under is 4-0 in Athletics last 4 games following an off day.
- Under is 4-0-1 in Athletics last 5 Friday games.
- Under is 7-1 in Athletics last 8 home games.
- Over is 6-1 in Athletics last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Under is 6-1 in Athletics last 7 games following a loss.
- Under is 5-1 in Athletics last 6 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 9-2 in Athletics last 11 overall.
- Under is 9-2 in Athletics last 11 on grass.
- Under is 21-5 in Athletics last 26 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Under is 16-5 in Athletics last 21 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
- Over is 15-6-1 in Athletics last 22 vs. American League West.
- Under is 19-9 in Athletics last 28 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
- Under is 4-0-1 in Jackson’s last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
- Under is 3-0-2 in Jackson’s last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 6-1-2 in Jackson’s last 9 starts on grass.
- Under is 6-1-2 in Jackson’s last 9 starts overall.
- Over is 9-2 in the last 11 meetings in Oakland.
- Over is 13-3-1 in the last 17 meetings.
- Astros are 16-5 in the last 21 meetings in Oakland.
- Astros are 36-17 in the last 53 meetings.
