Houston Astros (58-30) vs Oakland Athletics (30-60)
Game Info: Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 4:10 pm (Minute Maid Park)
Justin Verlander (11-3) (2.00) vs Jared Koenig (1-2) (6.38)
Betting Odds: Houston Astros / Oakland Athletics --- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics face off on Saturday in an MLB showdown at Minute Maid Park. The A’s were able to win the first game of this series 5-1.
The Astros sit with a 58-31 record overall but the offense struggled on Friday night and that led to the four-run defeat. This Astros team has found a ton of success so far this season, but at times the offense has been an issue. The Astros are averaging 4.44 runs per game which is 14th in the league. The pitching has been the strength-giving up only 3.38 runs per game. Yordan Alveraz has been the top offensive player hitting 26 home runs and driving in 60 RBIs.
On the other side of this matchup is the A’s who sit with a 31-60 record overall and although it’s been a struggle this season, at times they have looked like a team that is close to turning the corner. The A’s offense has been an issue this season averaging 3.2 runs per game which is 29th in the league. Seth Brown has hit 10 home runs and driven in 38 RBIs so far this season.
On the mound for the Astros will be Justin Verlander who sits with an 11-3 record overall and an ERA of 2.00. Verlander went six innings giving up seven hits and two runs.
On the mound for the A’s will be Jared Koening who sits with a 1-2 record and an ERA of 6.38. In his last start against Kansas City, he went 4.2 innings, giving up five hits and three runs.
The Astros are 11-2 in Verlander’s last 13 Saturday starts. The A’s are 2-8 in their last ten games on road. The under is 4-0 in Verlander’s last four Saturday starts. The under is 8-2 in Verlander’s last 10 starts against a team with a losing record.
Verlander is going to find success in this game, but there isn’t a ton of value with the Astros so we will look at the total. When Verlander pitchers the under has been a strong play and a perfect 4-0 in his last four starts on Saturday. Back the under to cash here.