Everyone hates them and they don’t care. Yes, trash can, or no trash can, the Houston Astros are just one win away from returning to the American League Championship Series. The Astros took a 2-0 lead in their ALDS with 5-2 victory in Game 2, pushing the Oakland A’s to the brink of elimination.
Can the Astros ride their “cheaters against the world” mentality to another MLB playoff series victory, or will the A’s keep their season alive?
We break down the baseball odds and bring our best A’s vs. Astros Game 3 picks and predictions for MLB playoff action on Wednesday, October 7 (3:35 p.m. ET).
Oakland A's vs Houston Astros betting preview
MLB Playoff Series Prices
A's: +650
Astros: -1,000
Starting Pitchers
Jesús Luzardo (0-1, 8.10 ERA) vs Jose Urquidy (0-0, 2,08 ERA)
If Luzardo wants to do his part to keep the A’s season alive, he’ll need to improve on his first postseason start, which lasted just 3 1-3 innings against the White Sox in Game 1 of the wild card round. The rookie lefty has been fairly inconsistent this season, spinning a gem one game, then getting hit around the next. Luzardo ended the regular season with a 4.12 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP, but had two strong starts against the Astros.
Houston counters with a rookie of its own in Urquidy. The right-hander was very reliable for the Astros down the stretch, recording a quality start in each of the last four games he was on the mound. Urquidy carried that momentum over to the postseason, where he limited the Twins to one run on two hits over 4 1-3 innings last week.
Weather
It should be another beautiful night for baseball in La La Land. The forecast is calling for clear skies, temperatures hovering around the 80 mark, and minimal wind for game time.. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Five Inning Total Pick
The Astros have looked like a different team at the plate so far in this series. They’ve smacked around the A’s pitching staff for 15 runs on 22 hits, including six dingers. But Bob Melvin is betting Luzardo, despite his inconsistencies, has the right stuff to slow Houston down in Game 3. And his track record against them is why: the lefty made two starts against the Astros this season, allowing four runs on nine hits and striking out 12 over 12 2-3 innings.
Meanwhile, Urquidy also had some success against the A’s this season. In his one start against Oakland this season, the right-hander allowed two runs on two hits over six innings. With this being an elimination game, the intensity should be top-notch. The five inning total looks a little high.
PREDICTION: Under 5 First Five Innings (-117)
Side Pick
Now that Houston walks around like Hollywood Hulk Hogan after he leg-dropped Randy Savage and minted the nWo, the question is: can the A’s be Sting in this scenario, pick up a bat and fight back?
Unfortunately, picking up the bats has been a problem for the A’s all season long. They ranked 25th in the MLB batting average this year and that has carried over to the postseason, as they are hitting just .205 as a team through their first five games.
But the biggest surprise for the Astros during this postseason turnaround has been their bullpen. Houston relievers have yet to give up a run on just four hits over 16 2-3 innings of work. It’s tough to admit, but it feels like the hating game with the Astros will continue into another series.
PREDICTION: Astros (-116)
A's vs Astros betting card
- Under 5 First Five Innings (-117)
- Astros (-116)
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