Houston Astros vs. Oakland A’s, 8/18/2018 Prediction & Preview
The defending World Series champions are in the midst of a funk. Losers of seven of their last 10 games, the Astros will attempt to get back on track Saturday afternoon in Oakland. That said, will the hot A’s beat their division rivals for a second consecutive night?
Game Snapshot & Odds
969 Houston Astros at 970 Oakland A’s
Saturday, August 18, 2018
4:05 p.m. ET, Oakland Coliseum
TV: HOU (ATTH); OAK (CSCA)
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, the Astros and A’s are both -105 on the money line. As of this writing, 57% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the A’s to beat the Astros on the moneyline.
Astros’ Keuchel works seven strong innings in no-decision
Dallas Keuchel allowed two runs (one earned) over seven innings in a no-decision against the Mariners on Sunday. Keuchel was brilliant in this one, displaying his trademark pinpoint control and generating 10 ground outs over seven frames. He struck out five batters, issued one walk and only allowed only seven hits. A solo home run by Mike Zunino with one-out in the seventh inning represented the only tally against the left-hander. The 30-year-old southpaw is 9-9 with a 3.43 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 115/40 K/BB ratio in 25 starts.
A’s Cahill doesn’t survive fifth inning vs. Angels
Trevor Cahill couldn’t make it out of the fifth inning on Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Angels. Cahill walked one and struck out three on the afternoon. He was one out away from qualifying for a victory in this one, but the Angels had him on the ropes and manager Bob Melvin decided instead to turn to his unbelievably deep and talented bullpen instead. Even with the poor performance, Cahill still sports a stellar 3.39 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 79 2/3 innings on the season.
MLB Betting Trends
Houston
The Astros have won seven of Keuchel’s last nine starts.
Oakland
The A’s have won 39 of their last 52 games overall.
Prediction:
The Astros have lost six of seven overall and five straight against divisional rivals. They’re also just 1-4 in their last five games against the A’s, who are 18-4 in their last 22 home games. Oakland has won 14 of 17 against the rest of the American League West as well. They’re worth a play again.
The Pick: Oakland A’s -105
