Oakland Athletics vs Houston Astros Prediction 7-20-23 MLB Picks
The Houston Astros and the Oakland Athletics meet Thursday in MLB action from O.co Coliseum. The Astros just finished up against the Rockies. After a close loss Tuesday, in the Wednesday matchup Houston won by three to split the series. As for Oakland, they split their first pair against the Red Sox this week. In the Wednesday finale the A’s eked out a victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Houston Astros
The Astros won last weekend’s series versus the Angels, but faltered in a 4-3 loss to Colorado on Tuesday despite a 2-for-3 showing from Alex Bregman. In Wednesday’s game Houston managed a 4-1 victory behind Chas McCormick’s two hits, two RBI and one homer. Jake Meyers managed a 2-for-4 outing with a run as well.
For the starting pitcher job in the Thursday opener the Astros are going with JP France. This year over 12 starts (the first 12 of his career), France is 4-3 with a 3.31 ERA and 50 Ks in 70.2 innings.
Oakland Athletics
Over on the Oakland side, they lost big to the Red Sox 7-0 Monday but bounced back for a 3-0 win in Tuesday’s game thanks to homers from Ryan Noda and JJ Bleday. In the Wednesday rubber match the A’s got two hits, two RBI and a homer from Bleday during a 6-5 win. Jace Peterson finished with a two-run homer and two runs.
In the starter slot Thursday Oakland is sending out Hogan Harris. In his first year in the MLB, Harris is 2-3 with a 6.51 ERA in 10 games (four starts) with 40 strikeouts over 47.0 frames.
Houston is 6-0 against Oakland this season and four of six games have gone under the total.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stay with Houston here. France isn’t doing too badly over his last three starts. In that time he’s got five earned in 17.1 combined innings. As for Harris, he’s struggled a bit lately with 16 earned runs in his last 14.0 innings for an 0-2 record over three starts. On Wednesday, Houston got a nice performance out of the bullpen with 3.1 innings, one hit, one earned, four Ks and a walk. France may have to go six innings or so in game one, but I think he’ll start Houston out well.
