This is an 8* play on HOUSTON

Houston took the first game of this AL West showdown and did so easily, winning 11-1 Monday. The game was never in doubt as first place Astros scored four runs in the 2nd inning and seven more in the 3rd. Not that they needed it, but they also got seven sharp innings from starter Gerrit Cole. We can't say we're surprised by how the Astros handled the A's last night; after all they were huge moneyline favorites. But we are surprised at how cheap they are on the moneyline tonight. Sure, Wade Miley isn't Cole, but he has a 4-0 TSR his last four starts and a 1.96 ERA/0.94 WHIP at home this year. Moreover, the Astros have won seven of the eight times Miley has started at home. By the way, Houston has now won six straight, all of them against division opponents. Oakland figures to cool off after their own six-game win streak got snapped last Thursday. Since then, they've lost three of five. Starter Michael Fiers has a 5.57 ERA on the road. Play on HOUSTON

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