10:07 pm
June 1

Astros @ Athletics

Who will WIN this matchup?

Houston Astros (37-20)

@ Oakland Athletics (29-27)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Verlander (HOU): 8-2; 2.38 ERA

Anderson (OAK) 6-3; 3.86 ERA

 

Last 10 Games Played:

Houston Astros: 6-4

Oakland Athletics: 7-3

 

Current odds:

Houston Astros: (-148)

Oakland Athletics: (+138)

 

• Justin Verlander aims to bounce back from a rare setback when the Houston Astros visit the Oakland Athletics on Saturday. Verlander lost for the second time in 10 decisions on Sunday,, when he gave up three runs and six hits over seven innings versus Boston. Verlander had won four straight starts and gave up a total of just four hits over three outings prior to the loss to Boston. He will be looking to help Houston defeat Oakland for the second straight night after Derek Fisher belted a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning to give the Astros a 3-2 victory on Friday.

• Matt Chapman hit a two-run shot for the Athletics, going deep for the fourth time in six games. Oakland has dropped three straight contests following a season-best 10-game winning streak.

• Verlander has registered 95 strikeouts in 79 1/3 innings and is just three away from surpassing the legendary Cy Young (2,803) for 21st place on the all-time list. The 36-year-old has allowed fewer than two runs in eight of his 12 starts and five or fewer hits on nine occasions. Verlander is 12-6 with a 2.73 ERA in 20 career starts against Oakland and has been roughed up by slugger Khris Davis (6-for-11, four homers).

• Anderson has won back-to-back starts, allowing a total of two runs in 11 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old is 3-1 with a 3.42 ERA in five home starts this season despite issuing 16 walks in just 26 1/3 frames. Anderson is 1-3 with a 6.97 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against Houston and has struggled to retire former teammate Josh Reddick (4-for-5, one homer).

• Davis (hip/oblique) took batting practice on Friday and the club will decide whether or not to activate him from the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday’s game.

• Reddick hit a solo blast on Friday to finish May with just two homers in 90 at-bats.

• Oakland 2B Jurickson Profar was hitless in three at-bats on Friday and is just 4-for-33 over his last eight games.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Houston Astros
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