Astros vs. Athletics Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 9/16/2022

The Houston Astros (94-50) will vie for their sixth straight victory when they host the Oakland Athletics (52-92) on Friday at 8:10 PM ET. The Astros are listed as -374 favorites by oddsmakers, while the Athletics are +292 underdogs. Houston’s Justin Verlander and Oakland’s Adrian Martinez have been named the starters for this contest.

Astros vs. Athletics Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Astros vs. Athletics

Our best bet is the Athletics on the moneyline at +292 after analyzing all of the key statistics and trends for this matchup. Our computer predicts the total score will over the total of 7.5 runs.

Our computer pick: Oakland Athletics (+292) and Over (7.5)

Astros vs. Athletics Game Info

• Houston Astros probable starting pitcher: Justin Verlander
• Oakland Athletics probable starting pitcher: Adrian Martinez
• Game Day: Friday, September 16, 2022
• Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Stadium: Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics Pitching Matchup

Astros Starter Justin Verlander

• Verlander will start for the Astros, his first this season.
• It’s the first appearance this season for the 39-year-old righty, and his first outing in more than a year.
• The Athletics have MLB’s 29th-ranked scoring offense (503 total runs) and have put up a .217 batting average as a team while hitting 123 home runs (26th in the league) this season.

Athletics Starter Adrian Martinez

• The Athletics’ Martinez (4-4) will make his ninth start of the season.
• The right-hander’s last appearance was on Saturday, when he threw 3 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox, giving up seven earned runs while allowing 14 hits.
• The 25-year-old has pitched in eight games this season with an ERA of 5.59 and 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings, with an opponent batting average of .301.
• He has started eight games this season, earning a quality start (6 or more IP, 3 or fewer ER) in one of them.
• Martinez has four starts of five or more innings this season in eight chances. He averages 4.3 innings per outing.
• The Astros rank ninth in MLB with 652 runs scored this season. They have a .245 batting average this campaign with 188 home runs (fifth in the league).

Astros Betting Picks & Insights

• This season, the Astros have been favored 124 times and won 86, or 69.4%, of those games.
• Houston has not entered a game this season as a bigger favorite on the moneyline than the -374 odds on them winning this game.
• The bookmakers’ moneyline implies a 78.9% chance of a victory for the Astros.
• Houston’s games have gone over the total in 52 of their 145 chances.
• In 145 games with a spread this season, the Astros are 78-67-0 ATS.

Athletics Betting Picks & Insights

• The Athletics have won in 45, or 36%, of the 125 contests they have been named as odds-on underdogs in this year.
• Oakland has played as an underdog of +292 or more just one time this year and came away with a loss in that game.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies the Athletics have a 25.5% chance of walking away with the win.
• Contests with Oakland have gone over the total set by oddsmakers in 65 of 144 chances this season.
• The Athletics have an against the spread mark of 69-75-0 in 144 games with a line this season.

Astros Leaders & Batting Stats

• Alex Bregman is hitting .267 with 35 doubles, 21 home runs and 82 walks.
• In all of the majors, Bregman ranks 47th in homers and 18th in RBI.
• Yordan Alvarez has shown his power as he leads his team with 33 home runs with a team-leading .297 batting average.
• Alvarez ranks ninth in homers and 18th in RBI among all MLB hitters this year.
• Alvarez has six games in a row with at least one hit. During his last 10 outings he is hitting .324 with five doubles, two home runs, eight walks and five RBI.
• Kyle Tucker has a team-best 97 runs batted in.
• Tucker has at least one base hit in five straight games. During his last five outings he is batting .409 with two doubles, three home runs, a walk and nine RBI.
• Jose Altuve is hitting .288 with 33 doubles, 24 home runs and 58 walks.

Athletics Leaders & Batting Stats

• Sean Murphy leads the Athletics with 64 runs batted in while racking up a team-best batting average of .253.
• Among all batters in MLB, Murphy’s home run total is 63rd and his RBI tally is 63rd.
• Murphy has collected a hit in two games in a row. In his last five games he is hitting .250 with two doubles, a triple, three walks and an RBI.
• Tony Kemp is hitting .233 with 22 doubles, a triple, six home runs and 41 walks.
• Kemp ranks 248th among all hitters in the big leagues in homers, and 185th in RBI.
• Seth Brown leads the Athletics with 22 long balls.
• Ramon Laureano is batting .212 with 18 doubles, 13 home runs and 25 walks.