You can tell that we are getting down to the wire in the MLB regular season when you look at the standings on ESPN and see that the % chance of making the playoffs has been added at the end of each team’s stats. It’s there now, and while it is yet to update, it’s still a very clear sign that we are beginning to head down the homestretch. Things start to look a little more final once that percentage number updates every day and the chances of getting in or being kept out increase or decrease with every win and loss.

While that little stat is fun to watch, there are a number of teams who will be about as close to 100% in as it gets when the percentages update. Right now, there are a few divisions that look to be all but done, with the Houston Astros in the AL West one of the teams almost certain to clinch. They can open up an even bigger gap with a solid showing in Oakland against the Athletics this weekend. The Astros are favored by 1 ½ on Thursday night, with the run total set at 10.

Astros vs Athletics MLB Odds & Game Analysis

• When: Thursday, August 15 at 10:07 PM EST
• Where: Alameda Coliseum, Oakland
• Starting Pitchers: Sanchez vs. Fiers
• TV: MLB Extra Innings
• Radio: SiriusXM
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: Houston Astros -120 (Total 10)

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Weather Forecast

• Partly Cloudy: 24°C/75°F
• Humidity: 56%
• Precipitation: 1%
• Cloud Cover: 3%
• Wind: 12 mph WNW
• Stadium Type: Open

Why bet on the Houston Astros?

The Houston Astros are undeniably one of the best teams in the MLB and one of the favorites to win the World Series, yet they are still prone to the occasional performance that leaves you scratching your head a little. They are coming off one of those performances now after being swept in 3 games by the Chicago White Sox, a series where they were outscored 21-11.

Realistically, though, it’s nothing more than a blip on the radar for a team that has gone 78-43 this season and who is sporting a 9 ½ game lead in the AL West over their opponents this weekend. The Astros are now 35-28 SU on the road and just 26-29 ATS as a road favorite. Overall, they are 9-2 versus the A’s this season. The Astros will have Aaron Sanchez (5-14, 5.60 ERA) on the mound.

Team Stats

• Runs: 5.50
• Hits: 9.44
• Walks: 3.83
• Strike Outs: 7.13

• Runs: 3.96
• Hits: 7.37
• Walks: 2.82
• Strike Outs: 10.08

Why bet on the Oakland Athletics?

Even if the Oakland A’s were to come out and sweep the Houston Astros over the 4 games this weekend, they would still be looking at a lot of work to be done to win this division. The fact of the matter is that the Wild Card is where the A’s should probably be seriously focusing their attention, as they are still very much a big part of that picture.

They still have some work to do there, too, though, as they are currently 2 games out of the final spot, although well ahead of the group of teams behind them. The A’s have a solid 37-23 record in their own ballpark this year, and while they have won 6 of their last 7 home games, they are just 1-5 versus the Astros in Oakland. The A’s will have Mike Fiers (11-3, 3.18 ERA) on the mound on Thursday.

Team Stats

• Runs: 5.01
• Hits: 8.34
• Walks: 3.42
• Strike Outs: 8.04

• Runs: 4.28
• Hits: 8.30
• Walks: 3.08
• Strike Outs: 7.71

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Astros vs Athletics MLB Betting Trends

• Astros are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games this season
• The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Houston’s last 19 games against an opponent in the American League
• Athletics are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games at home
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland’s last 6 games this season
• Astros are 12-15 against the money line in road games after a loss this season
• Athletics are 68-51 against the money line in all games this season
• Sanchez is 1-2 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 5.71 and a WHIP of 1.789
• Fiers is 1-2 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 5.29 and a WHIP of 1.470

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Astros vs Athletics

While it has been a lopsided regular-season series for the Astros versus the A’s, you have to see this pitching match-up as an opportunity for Oakland to get this series off to a winning start.

Score: Houston Astros 4 – Oakland A’s 5