| MATCHUP | Oakland Athletics | Houston Astros |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 42-57 | 65-66 |
| Where | Daikin Park, Houston, Texas | |
| When | Sunday, August 23, 2026 | |
| Time | 02:10 PM EDT | |
| TV | MLB.TV | |
The Athletics and the Houston Astros will meet on Sunday afternoon in the final game of a three‑game American League matchup at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.
Athletics Betting Preview
The Athletics enter Sunday’s contest with a 50–80 overall record (5th in the American League West) and an abysmal 23–40 mark on the road. The Athletics offense has been rather pedestrian this season. The Athletics has compiled 561 runs scored (20th in MLB), 200 doubles, 154 home runs and a .244 team batting average which ranks 16th in Major League Baseball.
The Athletics arrive at this afternoon’s game in below average form. The Athletics have lost five of the team’s last six games played this season, including a 4–0 shutout loss to the Houston Astros two days ago.
The Athletics will turn to left hander Brady Basso in this game. In two starts made in 2026, Basso has amassed a 3.91 ERA, 19 strikeouts and a 1.35 WHIP in 23 innings pitched. Basso will look to build on his moderate success in his first two starts of the season in this afternoon’s matchup with the Houston Astros.
Shifting our focus to the team’s offense, the Athletics lineup features talented catcher Shea Langeliers. Langeliers has amassed a .263 batting average, 23 home runs (25th in MLB), 51 RBIs, 19 doubles, 34 walks and an .829 OPS.
Houston Astros Betting Preview
The Houston Astros enter Sunday afternoon’s matchup with a 65–65 overall record (1st in the American League West) and a 33–34 mark at home. Houston has played below average baseball recently, losing five of the team’s last seven games played this season, including a 3–1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels earlier this week.
The Astros will start right hander Cristian Javier in today’s game. In seven starts made this season, Javier has compiled a 1-4 record, a 6.44 ERA, a 1.68 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched. Javier arrives at this contest in rather pedestrian form, allowing three earned runs or more in two of his last three starts made in 2026.
The Houston Astros lineup features outfielder Yordan Alvarez and first baseman Christian Walker. Yordan Alvarez has compiled a .319 batting average (2nd in MLB), 36 home runs (2nd in MLB), 90 RBIs and a 1.047 OPS which ranks second in Major League Baseball. Christian Walker has tallied 23 home runs (25th in MLB), 72 RBIs (26th in MLB) and a .752 OPS.
Why the Athletics will win.
• Offensive potential. Catcher Shea Langeliers has been a key contributor for the Athletics lineup.
• Starting pitching. In two starts made in 2026, Brady Basso has amassed a 3.91 ERA, 19 strikeouts and a 1.35 WHIP in 23 innings pitched.
• Enhanced motivation. The Athletics have lost five of the team’s last six games.
Why the Houston Astros will win.
• Home field edge. The Houston Astros have played competitive baseball at Minute Maid Park this season.
• Offensive balance. Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walker continue to the lead the Houston Astros lineup.
• Starting pitching. In seven starts made this season, Cristian Javier has compiled a 1-4 record, a 6.44 ERA, a 1.68 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched.
Athletics vs. Houston Astros Prediction
In my view, this matchup favors the Houston Astros. Why? Houston starting pitcher Cristian Javier arrives at this contest in decent form, allowing three earned runs or less in two of his last three starts made in 2026. Additionally, the Athletics arrive at this contest in poor overall form, losing five of the team’s last six games. With that said, the Astros are the clear side to be on in this one. I am backing the Houston Astros on the moneyline in this game.