Free MLB Picks Today: Oakland Athletics vs Houston Astros 5/26/23

Free MLB Picks Today: Oakland Athletics vs Houston Astros 5/26/23
Fri 26th May 2023

The Oakland Athletics (10-42), one of the lowest-scoring lineups in baseball, are set to host the Houston Astros (28-21) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Friday to open a three-game series.

The Astros are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Brewers, dropping the finale 4-0 on Wednesday at American Family Field.

Alex Bregman was 1 for 4 with a double. The Athletics are playing the first of six games at home after returning from a winless seven-game road trip.

They are coming off a four-game sweep at the hands of the Mariners, dropping the finale 3-2 on Thursday at T-Mobile Park for their eighth straight loss. Seth Brown went 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Astros have won all three games this season between the AL West rivals, including a 2-0 victory in their most recent meeting on Sunday at Minute Maid Park. Starter Framber Valdez had a complete game shutout. He allowed only four hits, striking out seven en route to the win.

ON THE MOUND

Hunter Brown (4-1, 3.20 ERA) is slated to get the start for Houston. The righty gets the Athletics for the second consecutive start. He allowed two runs (one earned) over six innings on Saturday, a 3-2 road win. He yielded five hits while striking out nine in the no-decision.

For Oakland, RHP James Kaprielian (0-4, 8.68 ERA) will take the mound. His only prior start against the Astros this season was his last outing, when Kaprielian gave up one run over five innings in a 2-0 road defeat on Sunday. He gave up three hits and walked four, while striking out five in the loss.

AT THE PLATE

The Houston offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .244/.315/.381. Yordan Alvarez leads the team in OPS at 1.003. The left fielder is slashing .297/.403/.600 with 12 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 29 runs over 43 games.

Against right-handed pitchers like Kaprielian this season, the ‘Stros have a .677 OPS. Alvarez also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .978 OPS in 95 at-bats.

Oakland is slashing .222/.299/.362 for the season and averaging 3.5 runs per game, second lowest in the league. Brent Rooker leads the team with a .903 OPS.

The left fielder has 11 home runs, 32 RBIs, and 21 runs scored with a slash line of .268/.374/.529. Oakland is averaging only 1.4 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.155/.181/.200).

The A’s have a .634 OPS against right-handers in 2023, lowest in the league. With a .828 OPS over 110 at-bats, Ryan Noda has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Houston is 14-10 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 3.5 runs. Oakland has gone 5-20 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 3.3 runs per game while surrendering 6.7.

In the last 10 games at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum between the teams, each club has won five, though Houston has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.2-3.3.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Astros are second in the AL West, three games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 22 games behind the Rangers.

SportsTips’ MLB Pick:

Houston Astros (-275)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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