Ahtletics vs Astros Prediction MLB Picks Today 7/21
- Lm Tipster
- Jul 21, 2023, 6:17:38 AM
© Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Astros vs. Athletics: Preview and Prediction
Introduction:
The Houston Astros are set to face the struggling Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in what could be an intriguing matchup. With the Astros currently holding a strong record of 54-43 and the Athletics grappling with a disappointing 27-72 record, this game has the potential for some unique betting opportunities. Let's dive into the data and find out why this could be the best bet for this game.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros have been performing well this season, with an impressive 54-43 overall record. They have been especially strong on the road, boasting a 29-21 record away from home. One of the key reasons for their success has been the consistency of their pitching, led by left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez.
Valdez has been nothing short of outstanding, boasting a 2.76 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP over 117.1 innings pitched. His ability to keep opposing hitters off balance and induce ground balls has been a significant factor in the Astros' pitching success. Against an Athletics team that has struggled to produce runs consistently, Valdez's pitching prowess may keep the total runs scored low in this game.
Offensively, the Astros have been led by the power hitting of Yordan Alvarez and the impressive batting average of Kyle Tucker. However, they will be facing left-handed pitcher JP Sears, who has shown some promise with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. Sears' ability to keep hitters guessing may also contribute to a lower-scoring game.
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics have had a disappointing season so far, with a challenging 27-72 overall record. Their struggles have been particularly evident at home, where they hold a 14-37 record. The Athletics have faced difficulties on both sides of the game, with their pitching staff allowing a league-high 422 walks and their hitters struggling to produce consistent offense.
The absence of key players like Ramon Laureano and Drew Rucinski due to injuries has further hampered the Athletics' chances to find their footing. Facing a formidable pitcher like Framber Valdez will only add to their offensive woes.
Prediction
When analyzing the data, it becomes clear that this matchup has the potential to be a low-scoring affair. The Astros, with Valdez leading the way, have the ability to keep the Athletics' offense in check. Similarly, facing left-handed pitcher JP Sears, the Astros' hitters may find it challenging to score runs.
Furthermore, the Athletics' struggles in producing consistent offense, along with the absence of key players, make it likely that they will struggle to put runs on the board.
Given the pitching matchup and the offensive challenges faced by both teams, betting on the total runs scored to be under 7.5 appears to be a strong and reasonable wager for this game.
