As the MLB season approaches its final stretch, two rivals in the American League West will clash when the Oakland Athletics (62-82, 4th AL West) face off against the Houston Astros (77-66, 1st AL West). After a day of rest on Monday, these teams are set to meet on Tuesday evening at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Currently, the Astros hold a 7-3 advantage in their season series against the Athletics. Oakland will send JP Sears (4.34 ERA) to the mound, while Houston counters with Hunter Brown (3.41 ERA). The game is scheduled to begin at 8:10 PM EST.
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Athletics Struggle in Recent Games
With only 18 games left in their season, the Oakland Athletics are facing a grim reality. Though not mathematically out of the playoff race, they sit 14 games behind the final Wild Card position, making a postseason run improbable. Recently, the Athletics have struggled, losing four out of their last five contests. Their most recent series at home saw them drop two games to the Seattle Mariners and two out of three against the Detroit Tigers. In a disappointing performance on Sunday, Oakland managed just one run in a 9-1 defeat, with Zack Gelof recording the lone RBI hit.
Gelof, a promising 24-year-old second baseman, has 16 home runs and 44 RBIs this season, leading the team with 22 stolen bases. Brent Rooker, who has primarily served as the designated hitter, is the team’s standout power hitter, boasting 35 home runs and 99 RBIs while maintaining a batting average of .299. The center fielder JJ Bleday has also contributed significantly with 20 home runs and 55 RBIs this year. As a whole, the Athletics rank 26th in the league for run production, indicating a need for offensive improvement.
JP Sears will make his 29th start of the season for Oakland. The 28-year-old left-hander leads the team in innings pitched, having thrown 27 more innings than his closest teammate. With an 11-10 record, the Athletics have only won one of his last four starts. His ERA stands at 4.34, with 122 strikeouts against 41 walks, and he has allowed 22 home runs this season. In his last outing, Sears surrendered five runs in six innings against Seattle.
Astros Seek to Maintain Their Lead
The Houston Astros are currently capitalizing on a relatively weak division, leading the AL West by 4.5 games. Despite holding the division lead, they possess the lowest winning percentage among division leaders and are at risk of losing their Wild Card spot if they falter. Recently, the Astros faced the Arizona Diamondbacks at home, winning two out of three games. However, they suffered a setback in the final game, losing 12-6, even with Alex Bregman hitting a two-run homer.
Bregman, batting in the cleanup spot, has amassed 22 home runs and 65 RBIs this season, with a batting average of .259. Jose Altuve continues to be a vital player for Houston, leading the team with 171 hits and 20 stolen bases, while maintaining a .301 average and hitting 19 homers. The standout on the team is Yordan Alvarez, boasting a .311 batting average, ranking fifth in the MLB, and leading with 32 home runs. After a three-month absence due to injury, Kyle Tucker has returned to the lineup, contributing 19 home runs and 41 RBIs despite his time away.
Hunter Brown, the young right-hander, will make his 28th start of the season. At 26 years old, he holds an 11-7 record, although the Astros have lost two of his last three starts. His ERA is 3.41, with 161 strikeouts and 55 walks, along with 16 home runs allowed. In his previous game, Brown delivered six scoreless innings, but the Astros still fell 1-0 to the Cincinnati Reds.
Best Bets for Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros
As Houston fights to solidify its division title, the stakes are high for this matchup. With a 4.5-game cushion, the Astros must remain vigilant to fend off threats from other teams, particularly the Seattle Mariners. Houston’s pitching ace, Hunter Brown, is currently on a hot streak, allowing only two earned runs in his last four appearances and shutting out opponents in his last two. Oakland’s JP Sears has faced the Astros before, struggling with a 4.24 ERA against them this season. Given the current form of both pitchers, Houston is well-positioned to capitalize on Sears’ vulnerabilities and secure a decisive victory in this contest.
