Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros 9/18/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 09/17/2022 at 10:55 PM ET

The Oakland Athletics conclude a four-game series on the road Sunday against the Houston Astros. Oakland is 52-93. Oakland is 53-93 following its 5-0 loss to Houston in the second game of the series on Friday. Oakland lost the series opener 5-2. The Athletics are 43 games behind first place in the American League West and have been eliminated from postseason contention.

Catcher Sean Murphy is batting .255 to lead Oakland and has team highs in RBIs with 64, hits with 123 and on-base percentage at .334. First baseman Seth Brown is the leader in home runs with 22. On Sunday, the Oakland Athletics will send Ken Waldichuk to the mound. The left-hander is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA, 14 Ks and 5 BBs.

Houston improved to 95-50 following its five-run victory over Oakland on Friday. Yordan Alvarez hit three home runs for the Astros and Justin Verlander returned after spending 18 days on the injury list and improved to 17-3, with the win. Houston clinched a playoff berth with its victory and the Astros lead the American League West by 14 games.

Designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is batting .304 with 36 home runs and an on-base percentage .408 to lead Houston in each category. Right fielder Kyle Tucker is the leader in RBIs with 97 and second baseman Jose Altuve is the leader in hits with 138. On Sunday, the Houston Astros will send Framber Valdez to the mound. The left-hander is 15-5 with a 2.50 ERA, 169 Ks and 61 BBs.

Houston will win at home on Sunday versus Oakland, but the play here is UNDER. The UNDER has cashed in six of the last eight played in Houston between the Athletics and Astros. In addition, the UNDER has cashed in nine of the last 13 overall between the two American League West rivals. Houston starting pitcher Framber Valdez is coming off an excellent outing in which the left-hander allowed no runs on six hits in a complete game 7-0 victory. Final Score Prediction, Houston Astros win but our best play is UNDER 5-1.

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