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MLB Picks Today – Odds and Probable Pitchers for Athletics vs Astros (July 7)

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in MLB Baseball

Updated Jul 7, 2021 · 6:22 AM PDT

baseball
Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez, right, celebrates his three-run home run with Carlos Correa, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
  • See the best bet in baseball on Wednesday, July 7th
  • Athletics lefty Sean Manaea faces Astros rookie Luis Garcia in Houston
  • See the odds, trends and prediction for the game below

The top two teams in the American League West meet when the Oakland Athletics visit the Houston Astros at 8:10 p.m. ET Wednesday in the middle game of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros (53-33) ran their winning streak to five games and increased their division lead to 4.5 games over the second-place Athletics (49-38) with a 9-6 victory Tuesday night. Houston is 40-19 against teams with records of .500 or better and favored against a winning club in this one.

Oakland has lost back-to-back games and four of its last five.

Two pitchers with identical records face each other as left-hander Sean Manaea (6-5, 3.13) starts for Oakland against rookie Luis Garcia (6-5, 3.14).

Athletics vs Astros Odds

Team Moneyline Runline Total at DraftKings
Oakland Athletics +128 +1.5 (-159) Over 9 (+100)
Houston Astros -148 +1.5 (+133) Under 9 (-121)

Odds as of July 7th

Manaea Tries to Stop Skid

Manaea is looking to break a three-start losing streak, though his ERA is a solid 3.86 during that span.

In his previous start against the Texas Rangers last Wednesday in Arlington, Manaea gave up four runs and nine hits in five innings with two strikeouts and one walk. It was his shortest outing since May 13, but he has allowed one run or fewer in six of his last eight starts.

Manaea has nine quality starts in 17 games this season. His road record is 2-3 with a 3.05 ERA in seven games. At night, he is 4-2 with a 2.72 ERA in 10 starts.

Manaea has faced the Astros three times this season, going 0-1 with a 4.86 ERA. He has a 3-6 career mark against Houston with a 3.57 ERA in 16 starts and has pitched well at Minute Maid Park, going 2-2 with a 1.85 ERA in seven starts.

The Athletics’ bullpen has been shaky the last few weeks, notching a 5.24 ERA in 16 starts.

Astros catcher Martin Maldonado has had success against Manaea, going 7 for 17 (.412) with two doubles, a triple and a home run. However, shortstop Carlos Correa is 7 for 34 (.206) against the big lefty with 11 strikeouts.

Right fielder Kyle Tucker returned to the lineup Tuesday for the Astros after missing three games with back spasms and left fielder Michael Brantley was back in action after sitting out two games with right side discomfort. Both players went 1 for 4.

Garcia Cools Off

Garcia has had a fine rookie season for the Astros but has scuffled lately. He is 1-2 with a 4.22 ERA in his last four starts after winning his previous five outings.

He pitched just four innings in his turn last Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles at home. It was Garcia’s shortest start since April 25 as he allowed four runs, four hits and four walks while striking out five.

Garcia didn’t get much help from home plate umpire CB Bucknor.

Garcia has turned in quality starts in five of his 14 starts this season. Prior to his start against the Orioles, he’d had two QS in a row and four in his last five.

Minute Maid Park has been friendly territory for Garcia as he is 3-3 with a 2.58 ERA there this season in nine games, including seven starts. He is 4-3 with a 3.30 ERA on 12 games, 11 starts, at night.

Garcia won his only start against the Athletics this year, surrendering two runs in five innings May 20 at Oakland.

YouTube video

He is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two career starts versus the Athletics.

Astros Hold Edge in ‘21

The Astros are 8-3 against the Athletics this season.

Oakland won the season season 7-3 last year, though the Astros beat the Athletics in four games in an American League Division Series. The Astros also won the season series for five straight years from 2015-19, going 58-37.

Yordan Alvarez led the way on Tuesday for Houston with two home runs and five RBIs.

Jose Altuve drove in the go-ahead run with a two-run single in a three-run sixth inning that put the Astros on top 9-6 after the Athletics had built a 6-2 lead after two innings. Myles Straw also had an RBI single for the winners.

Bryan Abreu threw two scoreless innings for the win. Ryan Pressly pitched the ninth for his 15th save.

J.B. Wendelken allowed two runs in one inning and took the loss.

The Astros have beaten good teams all season and have momentum on their side, making them the play in this one.

  • The Pick: Astros (-148)
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