Oakland Athletics vs Houston Astros Prediction, Preview and Odds - 10/02/2021

Game Time: 7:10 pm ET, Saturday, October 2, 2021

Venue:  Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX

Where to Watch:  Sportsnet SW

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Athletics +140, Astros -160; Over/Under:  9.5 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Athletics +140, Astros -160; Over/Under:  9.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Athletics +125, Astros -155; Over/Under:  9.5 runs

 

Oakland Athletics:  85-74 (3rd place, AL West)

Houston Astros:  93-66 (1st place, AL West)

 

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Oakland Athletics:  3-7 last 10

Houston Astros:  5-5 last 10

 

 

 

The A's are coming into this game after losing to the Seattle Mariners in their series finale on Wednesday night. The Mariners completed the sweep over the A's in that series to put the final nail in their coffin for any chance at making it to the postseason. They were swept by the Mariners last week in a four-game series, managed to sweep the Astros in a three-game series last weekend, and then got swept again by the Mariners to kill all of their playoff hopes, making it 7 straight losses to Seattle in the last 2 week. They are on a 3 game losing streak coming into this series opener against the Astros on Friday. That Friday game has not been played yet and the result is still pending. This will be the 2nd game of that series on Saturday. Sean Manaea will be getting the nod for Friday's game while Paul Blackburn is the starting pitcher on the mound for this game on Saturday. He is 1-3 with a 4.71 ERA this season. He has not played in many games this year but his team has won 3 of their last 4 games with him as the starter. In his last start, he allowed 1 ER and 1 BB with 1 K on 3 hits through 5 IP against the Astros last Sunday. That was the only occasion he has seen their lineup this year, but it was very recent. Their offense has scored 8 runs in their last 3 games averaging just under 3 runs scored per game in that span and they have allowed their opponents to score 21 runs against them in that same span allowing 7 runs per game. 

 

The Astros are coming into this game after winning their series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night 3-2. They ended up taking 2 of the 3 games in that series and they have now won 2 of their last 3 games. This will be the 2nd game of the series on Saturday with Friday's game still to be played, the result is pending for that one. Houston’s Framber Valdez will be the starter on Friday while Jake Odorizzi will be throwing the first pitch for them in this game on Saturday. He is 6-7 with a 4.14 ERA. He was credited with a loss in his last time out but his team has won 2 of their last 3 games with him starting. In his last start, he allowed 1 ER and 2 BB with 2 strikeouts on 4 hits through 4 innings of work against the A’s last Sunday. That was the only time he has seen the A’s lineup all year. Their offense has scored 7 runs in their last 3 games averaging a little over 2 runs scored per game in that span and they have allowed their opponents to score 12 runs against them in that same span allowing 4 runs per game.

The A's have now been eliminated from playoff contention and have nothing left to play for here as the Astros have already clinched a playoff spot and the division title in the American League West. The Astros will need to start getting into their playoff form using this last series of the regular season to get warmed up. They will also be angry about getting swept by the A's just last weekend and will be looking to get them back here. With the A's being demotivated in this one, the best bet to place in this game is on the Astros to win on the moneyline or on the runline.

 

Athletics Astros Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Saturday, October 2, 2021 (7:10 pm ET start time) is Astros 4 Athletics 1.

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Oakland Athletics: 49-66 O/U as an underdog of +100 or higher. 173-201 O/U in all games. 82-96 O/U in road games.

Houston Astros: 80-49 (-4.8 units) as a favorite of -110 or higher. 93-66 (-6.6 units) in all games. 49-29 (-4.4 units) in home games.

 

 

Oakland Athletics:  E. Andrus (SS) Out indefinitely - Leg injury. J. Lowrie (2B) Out indefinitely - Hand injury. M. Fiers (SP) out for season - Elbow injury.

Houston Astros:  Z. Greinke (SP) Early Oct - Neck injury. P. Baez (RP) Early Oct - Shoulder injury. R. Montero (RP)out for season - Shoulder injury.

 

 

Oakland Athletics: Matt Olson is one player to watch in this matchup. He leads his team in hits, homers, and in RBI. His team has been eliminated from contention but he is one of the biggest key pieces on this offense. Look for him to create a spark here and try to motivate his team to finish the season.

 

Houston Astros: Yordan Alvarez is one player to watch in this one. He leads his team in HR and in RBI. The Astros have already clinched their spot in the postseason and will need to start getting into playoff form here. Look for him to get involved with their offense here and start getting some hits as the season winds down.

 

 

"We expected to go to the postseason this year. We had our opportunities here down the stretch and we didn't play well enough to get there. So guys are very disappointing." - Bob Melvin on getting eliminated from playoff contention.

 

 

 

"They're used to winning and we hate losing. And now the fun begins." - Dusty Baker on his team making it to the postseason this year.

 

 

T. Kemp 2B

S. Marte CF

M. Olson 1B

M. Canha LF

J. Harrison SS

C. Pinder RF

M. Chapman 3B

S. Brown DH

Y. Gomes C

 

J. Altuve 2B

A. Bregman 3B

Y. Alvarez LF

Y. Gurriel 1B

K. Tucker RF

C. Correa SS

M. Brantley DH

J. Meyers CF

M. Maldonado C

 

Batting Average:  S. Marte (.308)

Hits:  M. Olson (150)

Home Runs:  M. Olson (38)

RBI:  M. Olson (109)

Stolen Bases:  S. Marte (45)

Wins:  F. Montas (13)

Saves:  L. Trivino (21)

ERA:  A. Chafin (1.83)

 

Batting Average:  Y. Gurriel (.316)

Hits:  Y. Gurriel (166)

Home Runs:  Y. Alvarez (32)

RBI:  Y. Alvarez (101)

Stolen Bases:  K. Tucker (14)

Wins:  L. McCullers Jr. (13)

Saves:  R. Pressly (26)

ERA:  K. Graveman (1.64)

 

Managers:

Oakland Athletics: Bob Melvin (11th season)

Houston Astros: Dusty Baker (2nd season)

 

79 degrees F scattered thunderstorms, 81% humidity, 20% chance of rain, up to 6 mph wind speeds NW.