Free MLB Pick: Athletics vs. Astros Odds
Looking for Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Free MLB predictions? MLB betting sees the Athletics taking on the Astros on Friday, October 1st, 2021 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions like this Athletics-Astros free pick.
2021 MLB Handicapping
(85-74) Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros (92-66)
Date: Friday, October 1st, 2021
Time: 8:10 PM ET
Venue: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
Projected Pitchers: Sean Manaea (OAK) vs. Undecided (HOU)
MLB Moneyline Odds: Athletics +120 | Astros -140
MLB run line Betting Odds: Astros -1.5 (+110)
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: O/U: 9
With three games left on the regular-season schedule, the Houston Astros will host the Oakland Athletics on Friday in an American League West division rivalry game.
Houston has won 9 out of 13 head-to-head games over Oakland this season.
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Wednesday night after losing to the Seattle Mariners 4-2. The A’s committed two errors allowing the Mariners to score two unearned in the loss.
The A’s were in position for postseason contention almost the entire season. On August 21, the A’s were in place for the second Wild Card spot but have been mediocre down the stretch going 15-20 over their last 35 games. Oakland will miss the postseason for the first time since 2017.
First Baseman Matt Olsen has been outstanding all season for the A’s and leads the team in several major offensive categories. He has a team high .272 batting average with 38 home runs (6th most) and 109 runs batted in (5th most). Olsen also has a team high .922 OBP which is 9th best in the league.
Houston Astros
Although it was not yet official heading into Thursday night, the Astros appear to be on their way to the playoffs for the fifth straight season. With 4 games remaining, Houston went into Thursday with a 3.5 game lead over Seattle, with 3 games left.
The Astros have struggled lately, losing 5 of their last 6 games, delaying the party to celebrate a division championship.
The Astros are currently the favorite to come out of the American League with +475 odds to win the World Series. The strength of the Astros has been having one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball, ranking second with 837 runs scored, 10th with 211 home runs, and first with a .266 batting average.
Yuli Gurriel leads the team with a .317 batting average, followed by Michael Brantley at .312. Yordan Alvarez leads the club with 32 home runs and 101 RBI, followed by Jose Altuve (31 HR, 82 RBI), Carlos Correa (24 HR, 82 RBI), and Kyle Tucker (28 HR, 88 RBI),
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- Athletics are 85-74 overall
- Athletics are 42-36 on the road
- Astros are 92-66 overall
- Astros are 48-29 at home
Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros MLB Prediction:
Both teams have struggled recently, and this game is not a must-win for either side. The A’s starter, Sean Manaea, has pitched better against the Astros as the visiting starter. In eight career starts at Minute Maid Park, Manaea is 2-3 but has a 2.17 ERA and 1.12 WHIP.
Manaea will keep the A’s in this game, and I expect them to have underdog value as the road team facing the American League pennant favorite. The Astros starter is undecided, and their team has to be primarily concerned with entering the playoffs with a healthy rotation.
I’m taking Oakland on the road in game 1.
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