On Tuesday night, the Oakland Athletics (45-99) will battle the Houston Astros (82-63). Oakland beat Houston in last night’s series opener 4-0.
The Athletics’ Ken Waldichuk was amazing, tossing six no-hit innings. He struck out three. Oakland held Houston to just three hits, two off the bat of the Astros’ Jeremy Pena. Astros starter Framber Valdez lost despite striking out ten in seven innings.
Athletics vs. Astros Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | ML |
| Oakland Athletics | +1.5 (-162) | Over 8.5 (-110) | +270 |
| Houston Astros | -1.5 (+136) | Under 8.5 (+100) | -333 |
Match Details
Fixture: Oakland Athletics @ Houston Astros
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 12, 8:10 p.m. ET
Venue: Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas
Starting Pitchers
JP Sears will take the ball for the Athletics. The lefty is 4-11 with a 4.51 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 28 starts. He has allowed just one run on eight hits in his previous 11 innings. Sears posted a 3.86 ERA in 70 innings as a rookie in 2022.
Sears is 0-1 with a 5.52 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 14.2 innings against Houston. However, he has similar stats regardless of his opponent’s record. The 27-year-old owns a 4.00 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in nine innings at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Sears holds a 4.03 ERA on the road compared to a 4.57 ERA at home.
Justin Verlander will pitch opposite Sears. The righty is 11-7 with a 3.23 ERA in 23 starts. However, he is 5-2 with a 3.43 ERA in seven starts with Houston. Verlander got dealt to Houston at the trade deadline from the New York Mets. He won the Cy Young with the Astros in 2022.
Verlander is 16-7 with a 2.49 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 27 starts against Oakland. The 18-year pro last faced them in 2022, going 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts. Verlander is 31-14 with a 2.55 ERA in 64 starts at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Athletics vs. Astros Betting Prediction
I like the under in this matchup. Excluding the long ball, JP Sears has pitched well against the Astros, especially in Houston. Meanwhile, Justin Verlander has owned the Athletics in his career. I expect another low-scoring affair in this American League tilt.
