Alex Bregman will be looking to extend his 16-game on-base streak as the Houston Astros (-125) host the Oakland Athletics (+105) at Minute Maid Park on Saturday. The early total was set at 8 (O: -105 | U: -115).The Astros (95-50) lead the series 2-0 after winning 5-0 on Friday, their sixth straight victory overall and fifth in a row head-to-head, including 11 of 17 games against the Athletics this season. Starter Justin Verlander threw five scoreless, no-hit innings- striking out nine – for the win. Yordan Alvarez’s on-base streak hit 13 games as he went 4 for 4 with three solo home runs in the win. Sean Murphy was 2 for 4 for the Athletics (52-93).
ON THE MOUND
Cole Irvin (8-11, 3.78 ERA) is set to get the start for Oakland. The left-hander allowed three runs (two earned) over seven innings in his last start, a 10-3 home win over the White Sox on Sunday. He was credited with the win, yielding four hits while striking out five and walking two. Over five previous starts against the Astros this season, Irvin has allowed 11 earned runs over 30.2 innings (2-2, 3.23). He has struck out 13 and walked five. RHP Jose Urquidy (13-6, 3.51 ERA) will take the mound for Houston. He has made two appearances against the Athletics this season, both as the starter, giving up six runs over 14.1 innings (1-1, 3.77) with 11 strikeouts and one walk. In his last start on September 10, Urquidy took the loss at home against the Angels. He threw five innings and gave up six runs on 10 hits, striking out four and walking one in the 6-1 defeat. The RHP is tied for fifth in the AL in wins.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged 5.4 runs a game, up from their season average of 3.5, while slashing better across the board (.234/.296/.421). Against righties like Urquidy this season, the A’s have a .621 OPS, second lowest in the league. Seth Brown is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .776 OPS in 370 at-bats. Houston is averaging 5.0 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.5 for the season. The ‘Stros have a .764 OPS against southpaws in 2022. With a 1.055 OPS over 130 at-bats, Jose Altuve has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Oakland is 29-44 away from home in 2022, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Houston has won three in a row at home. The ‘Stros are 49-22 at home this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.1. In the last 10 games at Minute Maid Park between the AL West rivals, Houston is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 5.7-2.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Astros lead the AL West by 14 games over the Mariners. Their magic number in the division is five. The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 43 games behind the Astros.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-300)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
