Gambling enthusiasts who like to bet on MLB games must consider all matches before placing their wager. Tonight’s matchups include the Houston Astros squaring off against the Oakland Athletics. Here are Betnow’s odds for the ballgame.
Oakland Athletics +11/2 (-130) 8 (-125) +171
Houston Astros -11/2 (+110) 8 (+105) -181
The sportsbooks have the Astros pegged as the underdog and it’s an interesting listing for a bet on MLB games. The Athletics’ are heading into tonight’s game with a 37-49 record; ranking second to last in the American League West. With only a one game lead over the Angels, the Athletics’ are coming dangerously close to having the honor of being the worst team in the division. The Athletics on the other hand are only 7 games behind the Texas Rangers for the lead in the AL West and will be looking to close in on that gap. So how did these teams fare the night before?
The Athletics’ were able to squeeze a win by the Astros on Thursday night. Led by lefty Rich Hill Oakland took home the win 3-1. Hill had an outstanding performance; he was able to strike out 10 batters within six innings. Hill reached his hottest when he was able to retire 10 consecutive batters.
“Curveball wasn’t the best it’s been, but the fastball was very good,” Hill stated after the game. “I think it was just about being able to execute that pitch and mix pitches out there and get ahead, stay ahead, and stay aggressive and pitch with that great effort that I want to bring every single time I go out.”
Excluding a brief stint that cost the Astros’ the game winning runs, Doug Fister pitched a solid game for Houston. After giving up a run during the second inning, Fister pitched six straight innings without a hit.
“Really proud of [Fister’s] effort and his execution and certainly the length of [his pitching performance] that we needed,” A.J. Hinch, the Astros manager, stated after the game.
However this is the third consecutive game with a Fister start and an Astros loss. Unfortunately for Houston they haven’t been unable to replicate the success they enjoined with Fister (they had 10 consecutive wins with a Fister start) back in mid-June.
Collin McHugh will be heading to the mound for Houston on Friday night. McHugh’s last start was against the Chicago White Sox. In a losing performance McHugh allowed two runs on five hits within 2/3 innings. It certainly has been a long time since McHugh got a win for Houston; the last one was all the way back in May.
The Athletics will be sending the mustachioed Daniel Mengden to start. Mengden doesn’t have any momentum coming into this match, in his last outing he gave up four runs during 5 1/3 innings. However, the rookie still has time to prove himself and he will be looking to do so in his sixth career start.
Heading into this game there isn’t a clear favorite. Both teams have struggled throughout the season and are vying to establish themselves as decent ball clubs. Users who bet on MLB games might want to stay away from a murky gamble.
