- What: MLB Regular Season Game
- When: Wednesday, July 24
- Who: Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics
- Time: 3:37 p.m. ET
- Where: Oakland Coliseum (Oakland, CA)
On Wednesday, the Oakland Athletics will host the Houston Astros at the Oakland Coliseum in an AL West showdown. The Astros are currently tied for first place in the division with the Seattle Mariners, both teams boasting a 52-48 record.
Meanwhile, the A’s are at the bottom of the standings with a 40-62 record, though they’ve shown some recent form, winning six of their last ten games.
The Astros will start Hunter Brown, who has a 4.14 ERA, while the Athletics will counter with JP Sears, who has a 4.49 ERA. Houston is the betting favorite, opening at -150 on the moneyline.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros recently fell to the Oakland Athletics, losing 4-0. Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena each contributed two hits, but despite multiple hits from their top six hitters, the team struggled to convert those into runs.
Spencer Arrighetti started the game, allowing four runs over six innings.
In the offseason, the Astros bolstered their bullpen by signing closer Josh Hader to a five-year, $95 million contract. They also added catcher Victor Caratini on a two-year, $12 million deal.
Welcome back, Victor! pic.twitter.com/13XoDyd6ep
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 24, 2024
Hector Neris opted out of his contract, and the team didn’t make significant trades.
However, they secured Jose Altuve with a five-year, $125 million extension. The team has experienced key departures, including Michael Brantley and Martin Maldonado.
Hunter Brown, with an 8-6 record and a 4.14 ERA, is set to start; after a slow start, he posted a 1.16 ERA in June.
The Astros hold a power ranking of 11, with their offense ranked 11th, defense 12th, and a season record of 52-49.
Oakland Athletics
In their latest game, the Oakland Athletics pulled off a surprising 4-0 win over the Astros. JJ Bleday led the offense with three hits and an RBI, while Miguel Andujar and Max Schuemann also added RBIs.
Hogan Harris pitched 6.2 scoreless innings, supported by a bullpen that allowed just one hit in the final 2.2 innings.
The Athletics made several low-profile signings, including Alex Wood, Scott Alexander, and Trevor Gott, though Gott is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Getaway day ✈️ pic.twitter.com/j5NaeDl4TF
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) July 24, 2024
The team also acquired Austin Adams and T.J. McFarland in minor deals. New additions include Ross Stripling, Miguel Andujar, and Abraham Toro, who have parted ways with Tony Kemp, Austin Pruitt, and Kirby Snead.
Oakland currently ranks 21st in offense, averaging 4.16 runs per game and 25th in defense, conceding an average of 4.74 runs per game. Their overall record stands at 41-62.
The A’s have dominated recent matchups against the Astros, winning two of the last three games.
Astros-A’s Best Bet
While Oakland’s starting pitcher for the next game hasn’t been confirmed, Hunter Brown is expected to be a key figure for the Astros.
Brown and the Astros had a challenging start to the season but have since improved. Houston has been strong against Oakland, winning seven of their last nine games.
Road trip finale.
⚾ : 2:37 pm (CST)
???? : @SpaceCityHN | @MLBTV
????️ : @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#Relentless x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/1ChTNNrSxE— Houston Astros (@astros) July 24, 2024
They also showed their strength by winning a crucial series against the Mariners, solidifying their position as a top team in the division.
As the competition in the AL West heats up, Houston is expected to continue their strong performance and secure more victories.
I think the Astros avoid the sweep in this one and win a close one. Take the Astros on the moneyline.
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