The Oakland Athletics (10-44) host the Houston Astros (30-21) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Sunday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the three-game series.
The Astros lead the series 2-0 after winning 6-3 on Saturday, their sixth straight head-to-head victory, including all five games this season. Starter Framber Valdez went six innings to get the win, allowing one run on four hits, and Ryan Pressly earned his 10th save with a scoreless ninth.
Jeremy Pena was 2 for 4 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and had two RBIs. Alex Bregman went 3 for 4 with a double, one run, and three RBIs. Shea Langeliers went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs for the Athletics.
ON THE MOUND
Cristian Javier (5-1, 3.07 ERA) is set to take the mound for Houston. The right-hander allowed one run over six innings in his last start, a 12-2 road win over the Brewers on Monday. He earned the win, yielding four hits while striking out five and walking one.
Javier is making his first appearance against the Athletics this season. Over three starts against the Athletics in 2022, Javier was 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA over 15 innings. He had 16 strikeouts and eight walks. RHP Luis Medina (0-3, 6.45 ERA) takes the mound for Oakland.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Astros. In his last start on Tuesday, Medina took the loss on the road against the Mariners. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out four and walking two in the 3-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Houston has averaged 4.6 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.4. Against right-handed pitchers like Medina this season, the ‘Stros have a .677 OPS. Yordan Alvarez is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .978 OPS in 96 at-bats.
Oakland is averaging only 2.0 runs per game in the last five, down from 3.5 for the season, with their slash line slipping across the board (.167/.202/.244).
The A’s have a .629 OPS against right-handers in 2023, lowest in the league. With a .818 OPS over 114 at-bats, Ryan Noda has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Houston is 16-10 away from Minute Maid Park in 2023, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 3.4 runs. Oakland has lost three in a row at home.
The A’s are 5-22 at home this season, averaging 3.2 runs per game while surrendering 6.6. In the last 10 games at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum between the AL West rivals, Houston is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.5-3.3.
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, 23 games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros -2.5 (+105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
