4:07 pm
August 18

Astros @ Athletics

Who will WIN this matchup?

Houston Astros (78-46)

@ Oakland Athletics (71-52)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Greinke (HOU): 12-4; 2.91 ERA

Anderson (OAK) 10-8; 3.95 ERA

 

Last 10 Games Played:

Houston Astros: 4-6

Oakland Athletics: 7-3

 

Current odds:

Houston Astros: (-180)

Oakland Athletics: (+165)

 

• The Oakland Athletics are closing fast in the American League West and can make the race much more interesting if they can finish off a four-game sweep of the visiting first-place Houston Astros on Sunday. The Athletics have gained four games in four days on the Astros and pulled to within 6 1/2 games with Saturday’s 8-4 victory. Matt Chapman was 3-for-3 and Mark Canha drove in three runs as Oakland recorded 13 hits and improved to 3-26 in games in which it does not homer. Houston’s five-game slide is its longest since a seven-gamer in June and its lead in the division is at its smallest since July 23.

• Rookie sensation Yordan Alvarez was the bright spot for the Astros on Saturday with a pair of home runs and three RBIs. He and his teammates set their sights on veteran southpaw Brett Anderson, who starts the finale for Oakland against Zack Greinke, the Houston newcomer aiming to become the third active pitcher with 200 career wins.

• Greinke is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts since coming over from Arizona at the trade deadline after allowing two runs over six innings at the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. The 35-year-old allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts and has gotten through at least six frames in 11 of the last 12. The six-time All-Star is 6-2 with a 3.11 ERA in his career versus Oakland.

• Anderson will be making his 25th start for the third time in his 11-year career and looking to match his career high of 11 wins. He took the loss his last time out despite allowing two runs over six innings at San Francisco. Outfielders George Springer, Josh Reddick and Jake Marisnick are a combined 12-for-17 with four home runs and five doubles against the 31-year-old Anderson, who has a 6.58 ERA in six career matchups (five starts) with Houston.

• Athletics RF Stephen Piscotty left Saturday’s game with an ankle injury and is not expected to play in the finale.

• Astros LF Michael Brantley is batting .479 during an 11-game hitting streak.

• Oakland signed RHP Matt Harvey to a minor league contract.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Houston Astros
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