Houston Astros vs Athletics Predictions

Brown tilts the matchup toward Houston

ESPN / Data Skrive lists Hunter Brown and Jacob Lopez as Friday’s probable starters at Sutter Health Park. Brown has a 3.26 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 102 innings, compared with Lopez’s 5.68 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 117 1/3 innings. That difference makes Houston the likely winner.

Lopez also faces an Astros lineup with two productive power hitters. Yordan Alvarez leads Houston with 41 home runs and a .600 slugging percentage, while Isaac Paredes is 10-for-35 with four homers and 10 RBI over his past 10 games.

The price leaves little room for error

The Athletics carry a .405 team slugging percentage, third in the American League, even with Nick Kurtz, Max Muncy, Brent Rooker, Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom on the injured list. Zack Gelof has five home runs in his past 10 games, and Shea Langeliers has 23 this season, so Oakland has enough power to threaten a favorite priced at -181.

Houston is 4-6 and has been outscored by eight runs over its past 10 games. The Astros won Thursday’s opener 7-5, but the teams have split their 10 meetings this season. Those results make the moneyline price harder to accept despite Brown’s better pitching numbers.

Betting outlook

SPF lists Houston at -181, the Athletics at +149, Houston at -1.5 on the run line and the total at 8.5. Brown makes the Astros the more likely winner, but the available evidence doesn’t justify laying -181. Pass.