Minute Maid Park will play host to a Thursday night MLB battle between the Oakland Athletics and the Houston Astros. The Athletics (52-91) have dropped eight of their last 11 games and own the worst overall record in the American League. Last night, Vimael Machin tied the game in the ninth inning with an RBI double and came in to score on an error to lift Oakland to an 8-7 road victory against Texas.
Twenty-eight year old righty James Kaprielian (3-9 4.79 ERA) will take the mound for the Athletics in this matchup. Control has been an issue for Kaprielian, who has walked 52 batters across 109 innings of work.
The Houston Astros have reeled off four straight victories and hold a six-game lead over New York for the best record in the American League. On Wednesday,'SP Cristian Javier fired six shutout frames and struck out eight batters to lead Houston to a 2-1 road victory against lowly Detroit. OF Kyle Tucker put the Astros (93-50) on the scoreboard first with his 27th home run of the year.
Twenty-eight year old righty Lance McCullers Jr. (3-1 2.20 ERA) will make his sixth start of the season for the Astros. Last time out, McCullers Jr. allowed two runs in seven innings during a 4-3 home victory versus Los Angeles.
Recent Betting Trends
- Athletics are 1-5 in their last 6 road games.
- Astros are 38-17 in their last 55 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
- Under is 7-1-1 in Astros last 9 home games.
- Under is 14-5 in Astros last 19 Thursday games.
- Athletics are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Houston.
Free MLB Pick:
UNDER 8