Astros vs. Athletics Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 9/15/2022

Christian Vazquez is on the brink of his 100th hit of the season for the Houston Astros (93-50) as they get set to take on the Oakland Athletics (52-91) on Thursday. The Astros enter the matchup as -314 favorites on the moneyline, and action gets underway from Minute Maid Park at 7:20 PM ET, live on FOX. Lance McCullers Jr. starts for Houston while James Kaprielian is Oakland’s starter for the contest.

Astros vs. Athletics Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Astros vs. Athletics

Our best bet is the Athletics on the moneyline at +250 after analyzing all of the key stats and trends for this matchup. Our computer projects the scoring will over the total of 8 runs.

Our computer pick: Oakland Athletics (+250) and Over (8)

Astros vs. Athletics Game Info

• Houston Astros probable starting pitcher: Lance McCullers Jr.
• Oakland Athletics probable starting pitcher: James Kaprielian
• Game Day: Thursday, September 15, 2022
• Game Time: 7:20 PM ET
• TV Channel: FOX
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Stadium: Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics Pitching Matchup

Astros Starter Lance McCullers Jr.

• Lance McCullers Jr. (3-1 with a 2.20 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings pitched) makes the start for the Astros, his sixth of the season.
• In his most recent time out on Saturday, the right-hander went seven innings against the Los Angeles Angels, giving up two earned runs while surrendering four hits.
• The 28-year-old has amassed a 2.20 ERA and 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings in five games this season, while allowing a batting average of .221 to his opponents.
• McCullers has two quality starts this season.
• McCullers will look to pitch five or more innings for his sixth straight appearance. He’s averaging 5.2 frames per outing.
• He will face off against an Athletics offense that ranks last in MLB with 1021 total hits (on a .217 batting average). The team also slugs a collective .348 (29th in MLB) with 123 total home runs (26th in MLB).
• McCullers has thrown six innings without giving up an earned run on two hits, while striking out five against the Athletics this season.

Athletics Starter James Kaprielian

• Kaprielian (3-9) will take the mound for the Athletics, his 23rd start of the season.
• The right-hander’s last appearance was on Wednesday, Aug. 31, when he threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up two earned runs while allowing seven hits against the Washington Nationals.
• The 28-year-old has an ERA of 4.79 and 6.3 strikeouts per nine innings with an opponent batting average of .247 in 22 games this season.
• In 22 starts this season, he’s earned a quality start in three of them.
• Kaprielian has 18 starts of five or more innings this season in 22 chances. He averages 4.3 innings per outing.
• The Astros have scored 647 runs this season, which ranks ninth in MLB. They have 1170 hits, 14th in baseball, with 187 home runs (fifth in the league).

Astros Betting Picks & Insights

• The Astros have won 85, or 69.1%, of the 123 games they’ve played as favorites this season.
• Houston has a record of 3-1 when favored by -314 or more by bookmakers this season.
• The sportsbooks’ moneyline implies a 75.8% chance of a victory for the Astros.
• Houston and its opponents have gone over the total this season in 52 of their 144 opportunities.
• The Astros are 77-67-0 against the spread in their 144 chances this season.

Athletics Betting Picks & Insights

• The Athletics have come away with 45 wins in the 124 contests they have been listed as the underdogs in this season.
• This season, Oakland has been a moneyline underdog of -314 or better three times, losing every contest.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies the Athletics have a 28.6% chance of walking away with the win.
• Oakland and their opponents have gone over in 65 of their 143 games with a total set by sportsbooks this season.
• The Athletics have posted a record of 69-74-0 against the spread this season.

Astros Leaders & Batting Stats

• Alex Bregman is hitting .268 with 35 doubles, 21 home runs and 81 walks.
• Bregman is 47th in homers and 18th in RBI among all hitters in baseball.
• Bregman has collected a hit in five straight games. In his last five games he is hitting .333 with a double, a home run, three walks and seven RBI.
• Yordan Alvarez’s 33 home runs and .295 batting average are both team-highs.
• Alvarez is ninth in homers in baseball, and 20th in RBI.
• Alvarez heads into this game looking for his sixth game in a row with a hit. During his last five outings he is batting .438 with three doubles, two home runs, six walks and two RBI.
• Kyle Tucker leads the Astros with 96 runs batted in.
• Tucker will look to build on his four-game hitting in this game. In his last five games he is batting .273 with a double, three home runs, a walk and eight RBI.
• Jose Altuve is batting .288 with 33 doubles, 24 home runs and 58 walks.

Athletics Leaders & Batting Stats

• The Athletics are lead in runs batted in by Sean Murphy with a mark of 64, he also leads the team in hitting, posting an average of .251.
• Among all hitters in the big leagues, Murphy is 62nd in home runs and 63rd in RBI.
• Tony Kemp is batting .235 with 22 doubles, a triple, six home runs and 41 walks.
• Kemp is 246th in homers and 183rd in RBI among all MLB hitters this year.
• Seth Brown leads the Athletics with 22 long balls.
• Ramon Laureano is batting .214 with 18 doubles, 13 home runs and 25 walks.