Free MLB Picks Today: Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics 9/16/22

Justin Verlander, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, leads the way for the Houston Astros (-160) as they host the Oakland Athletics (+135) at Minute Maid Park on Friday. The early total has been set at 7.5 with the under a -115 favorite. The Astros (94-50) took Thursday’s series opener 5-2, their fifth straight victory overall and fourth in a row head-to-head, including 10 of 16 games against the Athletics this season. Seth Martinez threw one scoreless inning out of the bullpen to get the win, and Rafael Montero earned his 13th save with a scoreless ninth. Kyle Tucker went 3 for 4 with a double and one RBI in the win. Aledmys Diaz added a home run and two RBIs. Sean Murphy was 2 for 4 with a triple and a double for the Athletics (52-92). He scored one run.

ON THE MOUND

Adrian Martinez (4-4, 4.37 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Oakland. The RHP allowed seven runs over 3.2 innings in his last start, a 10-2 home defeat against the White Sox on Saturday. He was charged with the loss, giving up 14 hits while striking out two and walking one. RHP Verlander (16-3, 1.84 ERA) gets the start for Houston. He has made two appearances against the Athletics this season, both starts, giving up three runs over 13 innings (1-0, 2.08) with 16 strikeouts and two walks. In his last start on August 28, Verlander took a no-decision at home against the Orioles. He threw three scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out six and walking one in the 3-1 win. The righty leads MLB in ERA. He also shares the AL lead in wins.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged 5.8 runs a game, up from their season average of 3.5, while performing better across the board (.231/.285/.416). Against right-handed pitchers like Verlander this season, the A’s have a .623 OPS, second lowest in MLB. Seth Brown is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .777 OPS in 368 at-bats. Houston is averaging 6.4 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.5 for the season, with an improved slash line (.291/.361/.520). The ‘Stros have a .730 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .914 OPS over 319 at-bats, Alex Bregman has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Oakland is 29-43 away from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in 2022, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Houston has gone 48-22 at their home park this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.2. Houston is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings at Minute Maid Park with an average scoreline of 5.8-3.7.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Astros lead the AL West by 13 games over the Mariners. Their magic number in the division is seven. The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 42 games behind the Astros.