Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros 8/13/22 - 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 41-71 following its 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. The Athletics were swept by the Angels in a three-game series and Oakland has lost each of its last five. The A’s are last in the American League West, 30 ½ games behind the first-place Astros

Catcher Sean Murphy is leading Oakland with a .242 batting average, 48 RBIs, 89 hits and an on-base percentage of .316. First baseman Seth Brown is the leader in home runs with 17 and is tied with Murphy in RBIs with 48. Oakland has not yet announced its starting pitcher for Saturday's second game of a three-game series on the road against the Houston Astros.

Houston improved to 72-41 following its 7-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Framber Valdez pitched seven scoreless innings for the Astros. Houston now has the best record in the American League by a half-game over the New York Yankees. The Astros are first in the American League West, 11 games ahead of the second place Seattle Mariners.

Designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is leading Houston with a batting average of .295, 31 home runs, 74 RBIs, and an on-base percentage of .401. Second baseman Jose Altuve is the leader in hits with 102. On Saturday, the Houston Astros will send Lance McCullers Jr to the mound. The right-hander will be making his season debut with Houston on Saturday.