Athletics at Astros 7/22/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Oakland Athletics head to the Lone Star State on Monday to open a three-game series on the road against the Houston Astros. Oakland won its second straight on Saturday with a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Khris Davis hit a two-run single during the ninth inning to give the A’s the win. Oakland remained 5 ½ games behind the first place Astros in the American League West.

Houston won its fourth straight Saturday after defeating the Texas Rangers 6-1. Jose Urquidy tossed seven strong innings to earn his first win in the majors and Yuli Gurriel blasted a three-run home run helping the Astros to the win. Tony Kemp homered for Houston as well. Ramon Laureano is leading the A’s with a .287 batting average. Matt Chapman leads in home runs with 22 and in RBIs with 59. Marcus Semien leads in hits with 111. The A’s are averaging .250 at the plate while opposing hitters are averaging .241. On Monday, the A’s will send Homer Bailey to the mound. The right-hander is 8-6 with an ERA of 4.69, 87 Ks and 38 BBs.

Michael Brantley leads Houston with a .326 batting average and in hits with 119. Alex Bregman leads in home runs with 26 and RBIs with 62. Houston has a .270 batting average while opponents are averaging .223. On Monday, the Astros will send Gerrit Cole to the mound. The right-hander is 10-5 with an ERA of 3.12, 194 Ks and 33 BBs.