Sunday August 30th A’s at Astros Betting Preview

The August 30th A’s at Astros betting matchup sees a meeting of the 1st and 2nd place teams in the AL West. Oakland has a 2.5 game lead in the division, but Houston was able to make up some ground after a 4-2, 6-3 doubleheader sweep on Saturday.

Oddsmakers are calling Sunday’s series finale a good old fashioned toss-up as both teams are listed at -110. Oakland posted a 3-game sweep over Houston earlier this month and the Astros would love to return the favor as August winds down. This meeting looks like a pitcher’s duel with Oakland’s Jesus Luzardo (2-1, 3.74 ERA) facing Framber Valdez (3-2, 2.35 ERA) of the Astros.

Oakland Bats Quiet Lately

The A’s had a hard time getting the offense going in both of Saturday’s games. Matt Chapman knocked in both runs in the opener as Oakland scratched out just six hits. The A’s hit a couple home runs (Chapman, Ramon Laureano) in the night cap but still had just three runs on six hits.

Oakland ranks 11th in the majors in runs/game (4.82) coming into August 30th A’s vs. Rays betting. The A’s have been held to 3 runs or less in three straight though and four of the last five games. Chapman has had a good series (3-6, HR, 3 RBI) but has still struck out 8 times in his last 19 AB.

Oakland will be without one of their hotter hitters recently as Marcus Semien is questionable with an oblique injury. He had been hitting .350 the past week. Tommy LaStella was also 0-3 in his team debut Saturday after being acquired in a trade with the Angels. Either way offensive woes won’t matter if Luzardo continues to be the real deal on the mound. The left-hander leads MLB rookies with 34 K’s and has allowed 2 ER or less in 3 of 5 starts since coming out of the bullpen.

Astros Try to Keep Climbing

Houston has put some early season struggles behind them to climb to 19-14 on the year with a 97% playoff probability. Dusty Baker’s team has also narrowed the gap on Oakland and can be just 1.5 back with a win in August 30th A’s at Astros betting. Houston definitely has value Sunday at -110 after taking two games on Saturday and because of a 14-5 record at home this season.

Kyle Tucker was the catalyst for Houston on Saturday in both games with 6 RBI total. The Astros DH had a 1st inning 3-run home run in the first game and followed that up with a 3-run triple in the nightcap. The two victories now give Houston four wins in their last five after being swept by the Padres and the Astros have put up 32 runs over that span.

Valdez is on a three game win streak for Houston and he’s pitched into the 7th inning in three of the last four. The left-hander had a streak of four appearances allowing one run or less broken last time out when he gave up 4ER to the Angels. Valdez still pitched 7 innings though and also struck out 11.

August 30th A’s vs Astros Betting Pick

This feels like a matchup where the teams trade sweeps. Oakland got theirs at home at the beginning of the month, and Houston completes the transaction Sunday afternoon. The Astros offense has been better and they have a streaking pitcher on the hill in the finale.

Pick: Astros -110