Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros 7/16/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Oakland Athletics play the second game of a three-game series on the road Saturday against the Houston Astros. Oakland is 30-60 following its 5-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. Oakland was defeated in two out of three games by the Rangers and the Athletics have lost five of the last seven. Oakland is last in the American League West, 29 games behind the first-place Houston Astros.

Catcher Sean Murphy is batting .237 to lead Oakland and has team highs in hits with 69 and on-base percentage at .307. First baseman Seth Brown is the leader in home runs with 10 and RBIs with 38. On Saturday, the Oakland Athletics will send Jared Koenig to the mound. The left-hander is 1-2 with a 6.38 ERA, 10 Ks and 11 BBs.

Houston improved to 58-30 following a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. Jeremy Pena had an RBI in the 10th inning to break a tie and give Houston its 13th victory in the last 16 games played. Jose Altuve suffered a bruised left leg and had to leave the game early and his status is unknown for Saturday. Houston is first in the American League West, 11 games ahead of second place Seattle.

Without the injured Yordan Alvarez, who leads in nearly every statistical category, Kyle Tucker is leading Houston in home runs with 17 and RBIs with 61 while Jose Altuve is tied for the lead in home runs with 17. On Saturday, the Houston Astros will send Justin Verlander to the mound. The right-hander is 11-3 with a 2.00 ERA, 98 Ks and 19 BBs.