A’s vs Astros MLB Top 2 Teams In AL West

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Either the Houston Astros or Oakland A’s have won the AL West over the past four seasons, and it’s going to be a two-team race again in 2021. It’s a good pitching matchup for Wednesday’s game in Houston between A’s lefty Sean Manaea and young Astros right-hander Luis Garcia. Houston is favored on the MLB odds.

How to Bet A’s at Astros MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Wednesday, 8:10 PM ET
Where: Minute Maid Park
Probable pitchers (away/home): Sean Manaea/Luis Garcia
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream/gameday audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/
Opening MLB Lines: Astros -140, A’s +130 (total 9)

Why Bet on Oakland?

The A’s placed first baseman/DH Mitch Moreland on the injured list and recalled OF Stephen Piscotty from it. Another outfielder, Mark Canha, remains out and he was having a nice season. He won’t be back until after the All-Star break. The A’s have used the injured list 17 times this year. They used it just eight times last year, which was second fewest in the majors to Cleveland (4).

The A’s will have one representative at the 2021 MLB All-Star Game in Denver as a reserve. That’s first baseman Matt Olson making his first appearance in the Mid-Summer classic over his five-year career with the A’s. Despite hitting a rough patch recently, Olson has maintained an eighth-ranked .924 OPS and his 20 home runs are tied for fourth in the American League. The A’s haven’t had a player voted in as a starter since third baseman Josh Donaldson in 2014, the only A’s player to start an All-Star Game in the last 10 years.

It’s ace lefty Sean Manaea (6-5) on the mound for Oakland – and he had a case to be named an All-Star. Manaea took the loss last Thursday after allowing four runs on nine hits over five innings to the Rangers. Manaea did strike out six batters thanks to a 43 percent whiff rate on his sinker, which accounted for 71 percent of Manaea’s arsenal.

Home runs by Nate Lowe and Joey Gallo in the fourth and fifth innings broke things open for the Rangers, who put 10 runners on base against Manaea on the day. It was the third straight loss for the lefty despite a 24:6 KK:BB over 16.1 innings during that stretch. He’ll take a 3.13 ERA and 1.24 WHIP into this outing.

While July didn’t start great, Manaea was the AL Pitcher of the Month for June. In five starts, Manaea allowed a total of four runs. It was the second time Manaea has won Pitcher of the Month, with the first coming in April 2018 after he threw his no-hitter. It was the 26th time that an Oakland player has won Pitcher of the Month since it began in 1975.

Lou Trivino was named AL Reliever of the Month for June after compiling a 0.71 ERA and six saves in 13 appearances.

Why Bet on Houston?

The Astros remain without star third baseman and former AL MVP runner-up Alex Bregman. Bregman (quadriceps) has begun light running, but he will not return before the All-Star break. He is hitting .275 with seven homers and 34 RBIs this season.

Shortstop Carlos Correa leads all Major League position players in WAR (4.4), immediately ahead of 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (4.3). 2B Jose Altuve (4.0) checks in ranking fifth in the Majors and third in the AL. Correa, Altuve, outfielder Michael Brantley and reliever Ryan Pressly were named All-Stars. It is the second time to the All-Star game for Pressly and Correa. It is Altuve’s seventh selection and Brantley’s fifth selection. Among AL relievers, Pressly ranks tied for first in save perc. (93.3%), third in ERA and fourth in WHIP (0.83).

It’s Luis Garcia (6-5) on the bump for Houston. Garcia allowed four runs over four innings last Wednesday and took the loss as the Astros fell to the Orioles. Garcia struggled off the bat as he walked three guys and allowed two hits in the first frame, which amounted to all four runs he surrendered. The 24-year-old was able to settle in, allowing just a base hit over the following three innings. The four earned runs were the most he’s let up all year, and it was the first time he’s walked more than two batters since April 20.

Actually, Garcia pitched pretty well overall, striking out five while generating a 37 percent whiff rate. There was one particular at-bat where Garcia surrendered a walk to Orioles slugger Trey Mancini despite throwing seven strikes and zero balls – i.e. the home plate umpire blew it. Garcia has been impressive for a majority of the season with a 3.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 90:27 K:BB over 80.1 innings.

Garcia won his lone start vs. Oakland this year, allowing two runs over five.