The Oakland A’s (64-82) and Houston Astros (77-68) finish a 3-game series on Thursday. First pitch at Nationals Park is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s check out BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Odds for A’s vs. Astros and place your best bets with our expert MLB tips and predictions.
Season series: Astros lead 7-5
The A’s are looking to sweep the Astros after two 1-run games (4-3 in 12 and 5-4). On Wednesday, a 3-run 6th inning highlighted by a 2-run HR from C Kyle McCannn and an RBI single from LF Brent Rookergave Oakland just enough to secure the win. RHP Mason Miller finished in the 9th and made his 24th save.
The Astros will look to avoid their first home win since April 17 as they conclude a 6-game home series. Houston dominated Oakland earlier in the season, winning 5 of the first 6 meetings.
Expected starters for the A’s and the Astros
RHP Mitch Spence against LHP Framber Valdez
Spence (7-9, 4.42 ERA) is making his 21st start and 32nd appearance. The 26-year-old rookie has a 1.37 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 130 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No decision, 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER), 8 H, 0 BB, 6 K in the 7-6 home win against the Detroit Tigers on Friday
- 2024 Away Splits: 3-4, 5.09 ERA (58 1/3 IP, 33 ER), 1.39 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 in 15 games
- Career/2024 vs. Astros: 0-1, 4.26 ERA (2/3 IP, 2 ER) 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K in 9-2 loss on May 13 in Houston
Valdez (14-6, 2.97 ERA) is making his 26th start. He has a WHIP of 1.09, 2.9 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 in 157 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 7 K in the 8-0 home win against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday
- 2024 Home Splits: 8-2, 2.46 ERA (84 IP, 23 ER), 1.01 WHIP, 9.4 K/9 in 13 starts
- Career vs. A’s: 6-4, 2.73 ERA, 85 2/3 IP, 29 R (26 ER), 59 H, 23 BB, 79 K in 14 appearances (12 starts)
- Last start against A’s: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K in the 3-0 home win on May 15
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A’s at Astros odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; visit the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds Hub for a complete list of MLB odds. Odds last updated at 12:47 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): A’s +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Astros -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Running Line (RL)/Against the Spread (ATS): A’s +1.5 (-110) | Astros -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Tips and predictions for the A’s at the Astros
forecast
Astros 5, A’s 2
Money line
HAPPEN.
Houston (-250) will be back on the winning track Thursday afternoon, but I’m saving my bet for the run line with the more reasonable odds.
Running Line/Against the Spread
BET ASTROS -1.5 (-110).
Betting on the Astros -1.5 is a winning strategy. Although Houston is struggling in this series, it is the stronger team and the AL West leaders cannot afford to lose any more games at home, especially against weaker opponents like the A’s.
Valdez, who has a 6-2 record with a 2.73 ERA against Oakland, has been in top form lately, going 5-1 in his last 7 starts. A’s pitcher Spence has struggled lately, going 0-3 in his last 7 games. Although the A’s have done well against lefties, Valdez dominated them earlier this season, not letting them get into the game for 7 innings.
The Astros had previously excelled against Oakland, winning 5 of their first 6 games this season, and Houston won 6 of their 7 victories over the A’s by multiple runs.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 8 (-110).
Going under is a smart move. In the last 10 meetings, the under is 5-4-1. The O/U is 1-1 in this series, but Valdez’s presence on the mound tips the scales toward the under. He has been exceptional lately, hitting the under in 5 of his last 6 starts. The over has hit in his last start, but not because of Valdez, who threw 7 scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Given Valdez’s track record, a low-scoring game seems likely.
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