The Oakland A’s (63-82) and Houston Astros (77-67) play the middle contest of a 3-game series Wednesday. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is set for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the A’s vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Astros lead 7-4
Oakland picked up a 4-3 victory as a moderate underdog (+176) behind LHP JP Sears in Tuesday’s series opener as the Under (8.5) connected.
The A’s have been eliminated from the postseason chase for a while, but Oakland hasn’t waved the white flag. The A’s actually have a winning record in the past 15 Games since Aug. 25, going 8-7. The Over has cashed in 8 of the previous 12 contests.
The Astros are still in 1st place in the AL West, but they’ve struggled across the past 7 outings, going 2-5 since Sept. 2, while the Over has cashed in 3 of the previous 4 outings.
A’s at Astros projected starters
RHP Joey Estes vs. RHP Hunter Brown
Estes (6-7, 4.46 ERA) makes his 21st start and 22nd appearance. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 in 111 IP (1 CG).
- Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 6-4 home setback vs. Seattle Mariners Thursday
- 2024 road splits: 2-5, 6.66 ERA, 48 2/3 IP, 36 ER, 10 HR, 1.48 WHIP, .286 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 15 BB, 43 K in 10 starts (11 appearances)
- Career vs. Astros: Loss, 3 2/3 IP, 8 ER, 8 H (1 HR), 4 BB, 4 K in 8-1 road setback May 16 in only career start vs. Houston
Brown (11-7, 3.41 ERA) makes his 28th start and 29th appearance. He has a 1.27 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in 153 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 1-0 road loss vs. Cincinnati Reds Thursday
- 2024 home splits: 5-3, 3.12 ERA, 75 IP, 26 ER, 10 HR, 1.15 WHIP, .212 OBA, 29 BB, 74 K in 13 starts
- Career vs. A’s: 3-0, 1.80 ERA (30 IP, 6 ER), 2 HR, 0.97 WHIP, 11.4 K/9 in 5 starts
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
A’s at Astros odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:35 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): A’s +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Astros -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): A’s +1.5 (-114) | Astros -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: +100 | U: -122)
A’s at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 6, A’s 3
Moneyline
The Astros (-230) will set you back well more than 2 times your potential return, and that’s too much risk for a standalone wager. Even as part of a multi-leg parlay, including Houston sucks all of the value out of your ticket.
Plus, Houston hasn’t exactly been dominant lately, winning just twice in the past 7 outings.
However, the A’s (+190) are risky business only because Estes has been a complete disaster on the road.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
Back ASTROS -1.5 (-105) at near even-money to lay the run line. While Houston has managed just 9 wins the past 20 Games dating back to Aug. 20, it has won by 2 or more runs in 8 of those victories. So, if you like the Astros to win, you should like them to cash on the run line, too.
Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (+100) is worth playing lightly at even-money, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Over is 6-4 in the past 10 starts by Estes, and he has posted a dismal 6.66 ERA in 48 2/3 IP in 10 starts and 1 relief appearance on the road this season.
For the Astros, the Over is 3-1 in the past 4 Games while cashing in 2 of the past 3 starts by Brown. Go high, but be careful.
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