Athletics at Astros 9/11/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Oakland Athletics play game three of a four-game series on the road Wednesday with the American League West leading Houston Astros. The Athletics lost to the Astros in the opening game of the series on Monday 15-0. Oakland starter Mike Fiers gave up nine hits and a career high nine runs as well as career-high five homers in the embarrassing loss to the Astros.

Zack Greinke had five strikeouts in six solid innings but it was the bats that did the harm for Houston. Yordan Alvarez and Robinson Chirinos each had two home runs and Houston hit six round trippers in the first two innings to set a major-league record. Houston hits seven homers in all and was ahead 11-0 after just two innings.

Marcus Semien leads Oakland with a .275 batting average. Matt Chapman leads in home runs with 32 and in RBIs with 80. Semien leads in hits with 161. The A’s are averaging .249 at the plate while opposing hitters are averaging .262. On Wednesday, the A’s will send Brett Anderson to the mound. The southpaw is 11-9 with an ERA of 4.08, 81 Ks and 45 BBs.

Michael Brantley leads the Astros with a .323 batting average and in hits with 170. Alex Bregman leads in home runs with 35 and in RBIs with 103. Houston has a .276 batting average while opponents are averaging .220. On Wednesday, the Astros will send Framber Valdez to the mound. The lefthander is 4-7 with an ERA of 5.62, 64 Ks and 40 BBs.