Free MLB Picks Today: Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics 5/20/23

The Oakland Athletics (10-36) are on the road to face the Houston Astros (25-19) at Minute Maid Park on Saturday. The Astros took Friday’s series opener 5-1, their fifth straight victory overall.

Starter Brandon Bielak went five innings to get the win, giving up one run on five hits and striking out nine. Kyle Tucker went 2 for 3 with a home run and a double in the win. He had three RBIs. Jake Meyers added a double and one run, walking twice. Esteury Ruiz was 2 for 4 with one run for the Athletics.

ON THE MOUND

JP Sears (0-3, 5.27 ERA) is slated to start for Oakland. The left-hander allowed three runs (two earned) over 5.1 innings in his last start, an 11-3 road defeat against the Rangers on Sunday. He scattered five hits while striking out six and walking one in the no-decision.

Sears is making his first appearance against the Astros this season. Sears made one appearance against the Astros in 2022, a 7-5 road loss for the Yankees on July 21. He surrendered two runs on one hit over three innings, striking out one.

RHP Hunter Brown (4-1, 3.43 ERA) will toe the rubber for Houston. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Athletics. In his last start on Sunday, Brown got the win on the road against the White Sox. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 4-3 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged 3.6 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 3.8. Against righties like Brown this season, the A’s have a .659 OPS, fifth lowest in MLB. Ryan Noda has been the team’s biggest on-base threat against right-handers with a .414 OBP in 93 at-bats.

Houston is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.5 for the season, with a higher slash line (.310/.363/.506). The ‘Stros have a .739 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a .940 OPS over 54 at-bats, Tucker has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Oakland is on a five-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 5-16 in 2023. The A’s have scored 4.4 runs per game away from home, while allowing 8.1 runs.

Houston has won four in a row at their home ballpark. The ‘Stros are 12-11 at home this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.9.

Houston is 8-2 in the last 10 games at Minute Maid Park between the AL West rivals with an average scoreline of 6.0-2.5.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 18 games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Astros are second in the AL West, two games behind the Rangers.