In this article, we will formulate an Astros vs Athletics prediction for this MLB game on Wednesday, June 18, at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Houston Astros Betting Preview

The Houston Astros (42-31, 15-18 Away) are without a defeat in their previous seven series, and even though they opened the current one against the Athletics with a loss, they responded with a massive 13-3 win in Game 2. During the aforementioned positive span, the Astros beat the Mariners, swept the A’s, split with the Rays, defeated the Pirates, Guardians, and White Sox, and most recently, swept the Minnesota Twins. In Tuesday’s 13-3 victory in Sacramento, Cam Smith led the offense with two homers and three RBI, while Jason Alexander got the win after allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits with four strikeouts and three walks across 6.0 innings of work.

This year, the Astros average 4.07 runs per game (22nd in the MLB) on a .253/.317/.391 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Astros’ staff has a 3.43 ERA (6th) and 1.14 WHIP (2nd). Isaac Paredes leads the Astros with a .256 batting average, 15 home runs, and 44 RBI this season.

The projected starting pitcher for the Astros is Framber Valdez, who is 7-4 in 14 starts this season, with a 3.10 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 90.0 innings.

Athletics Betting Preview

The Athletics (30-45, 13-24 Home) were swept by the Los Angeles Angels, but bounced back with a sweep of the Kansas City Royals on the road. The A’s were on a four-game winning streak for the first time this season after a 3-1 win against the Astros in Game 1 of the current series, but returned to losing ways in a 13-3 defeat on Tuesday. JP Sears took the loss after allowing five runs on five hits with no strikeouts and three walks in 3.1 innings.

This season, the Athletics’ average 4.26 runs per game (15th in the MLB) on a .253/.320/.418 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Athletics’ staff has a 5.42 ERA (29th) and 1.49 WHIP (29th). Tyler Soderstrom leads the Athletics with a .250 batting average, 14 home runs, and 45 RBI this season.

Luis Severino will take the mound for the Athletics on Wednesday. The 31-year-old right-hander has a 2-6 record in 15 starts this year with a 4.47 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 90.2 innings.

Why the Astros will beat the Athletics

The Athletics have lost each of their last eight games against AL West opponents following a loss.
The Astros have won six of their last seven games against American League opponents.
The Astros have covered the run line in eight of their last nine night games against American League opponents following a road win.
The Athletics have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine night games at Sutter Health Park following a loss.
The Athletics have trailed after 5 innings in six of their last eight night games against AL West opponents.
The Athletics have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six night games against opponents that held a winning record.
The Athletics have lost the first inning in each of their last three night games against American League opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

Three of the Athletics’ last four games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Three of the Astros’ last four games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Athletics’ last eight home games.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in four of the Astros’ last five night games against American League opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The Athletics rank 29th in the league for ERA this season (5.48).
The Athletics rank 29th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.272).
The Astros rank 1st in the league for hits allowed this season (515).
The Astros rank 3rd in the league for runs allowed this season (259).

Astros vs Athletics Prediction

The teams have traded wins in the past couple of years, each recording five in the previous ten H2H encounters. This season, the Astros won three out of four meetings, and I am backing them to get another W on Wednesday. Framber Valdez allowed more than two runs just once in his previous seven starts, and he posted a remarkable 2.36 ERA in May. Valdez allowed a .213 BA in 47 at-bats against the Athletics in his career. Luis Severino, on the other hand, surrendered 14 runs in his last three starts, and I am backing the Astros to score 3+ off him early on. Go with Houston.

Oliver Zivic's Pick: Astros ML