WinView Games Playbook: Athletics vs Astros - August 17

Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics

Houston Astros -135

Game Total: 8.0

Game Play Predictions

Houston Astros

-          The Astros are 1-5 in their last six games, but posted 12 runs in their most recent game and came away with the win. They are up against the Athletics tonight, who are only two games behind them in the standings.

-          Despite their recent struggles, the Astros are still top-10 in several offensive categories. They are 4^th in runs scored, 8^th in batting average, 5^th in on-base percentage, and 5^th in slugging percentage.

-          The Astros might have the best pitching in the entire league, as they rank 1^st in ERA, 1^st in quality starts, 1^st in WHIP, and 1^st in BAA. Those are seriously strong numbers and now have Charlie Morton on the mound, who comes in with a 30.2% strikeout rate.

-          Carlos Correa is back from his injury but only has two hits in his last five games, with one double. The power is truly limited from him right now and will be at one of the better pitcher’s parks in the league.

-          Marwin González has seven career at-bats vs Edwin Jackson , but he has two hits and one home run in that span.

-          Evan Gattis had three hits in his most recent game, where two of those hits went for home runs, but those were his first hits in his last 10 games.

Oakland Athletics

-          While the Astros might be struggling as of late, things couldn’t be more different for Oakland. They have won 11 of their last 14 games and are chasing the Astros for the division lead.

-          The Athletics are around league average or higher in several offensive categories. They are 8^th in runs scored, 16^th in batting average, 13^th in on-base percentage, and 4^th in slugging percentage.

-          Edwin Jackson is on the mound for the Athletics tonight, who has been pitching at an unbelievable level right now. He has not allowed an earned run in any of his last three starts while adding 14 strikeouts in that same span.

-          Khris Davis was on a power surge at the beginning of the month with five home runs in six games but now hasn’t hit a home run in four games.

-          Matt Chapman has a 13-game hitting streak going right now, with eight doubles, three home runs, and eight RBIs.

-          Marcus Semien has three multi-hit games over his last five outings and has three home runs and two doubles in that span.

Props

1.)    Both teams combine for exactly 1 base runner or exactly 1 strikeout in the 1st Inning 4.1/1.9

The odds on this one really point to going with YES at 4.1x. You don’t need to rely on only one outcome for this one, it’s either the base runner or the strikeout, so you can have it on either end.

2.)    HOU takes more pitches than OAK in the 1st Inning 2.6/2.4

This one is almost split even in terms of the odds, but I’ll lean towards Houston on this one. They strikeout at a 20% vs RHP, while Oakland is at 21.8% vs RHP. So just a bit more disciplined at the plate should help them see more pitches.

3.)    Either teams outfield records or assists on 2 or more outs in the 1st Inning 4.0/1.5

This is a big-time pitcher’s park that’s known for all of the fly balls, so this is the more likely outcome, along with the fact the 4.0x on YES; it is too good to pass up.

4.)    HOU goes 3 up, 3 down in the top of the 1st Inning (No one reaches base) 3.3/2.1

Houston has been struggling as of late, as I noted above, and Jackson has been solid for the Athletics, so another YES from me here.

5.)    A HOU batter takes 3 or more consecutive pitches during a plate appearance in the 1st Inning 1.6/3.6

This one plays right off of question number two, where who will be taking more pitches. I would stay on the same side as that question, so a YES for me here.

6.)    3 or more HOU batters see 4 or more pitches in the 1st Inning 1.5/4.4

This is another question playing into number two and number five. If you are on the same side for those questions, stay consistent and go with it here.

7.)    The HOU leadoff batter takes the first 2 pitches and is retired 3.5-2

This one is actually a bit tricky since it’s not taking just two pitches, it’s the first two pitches. A bit of a toss-up for me, but I’ll stay on the same course and go with YES for seeing pitches.