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(MLB) Houston vs. Oakland,
Money Line: -160.00 Houston (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -160.00 Houston (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Houston Astros were off on Thursday and on Friday will open a four-game series in Oakland, which continues the team's 10-game road trip. Houston seeks an eighth consecutive victory tonight in Oakland but the Indians have ripped off 15 straight wins, closing to within 2 1/2 games of the Astros for the best record in the American League (note: Cleveland won the season series from Houston, meaning if both teams tie for the most wins, Cleveland would earn the home field edge). Last-place Oakland (AL West) halted an eight-game skid with a 3-1 victory over the LA Angels but hardly seems capable (interested?) in competing against the Astros in this series.
The pitching matchup: Collin McHugh (2-2 & 3.25 ERA) is back healthy and is now a regular part of the starting rotation for Houston. He'll be opposed by Oakland's Jharel Cotton (7-10 & 5.53 ERA). McHugh didn't make his first start of 2017 until July 22. He allowed four ERs over just 4 2/3 innings in his first start and seven ERs in his fourth (5 1/3 innings). However, in his other six outings, he's allowed just five ERs over 34 1/3 innings (1.31 ERA). McHugh was denied a chance at winning his third straight start last time out when he was pulled after 4 2/3 innings despite yielding one run on four hits against Texas. McHugh pitched six scoreless innings in a 3-0 win over Oakland on Aug. 19, upping his career record against the A's to 7-1 with a 2.73 ERA in 10 starts (team is 9-1). Cotton is a rookie making his 22nd start of 2017. He did beat the Astros on Aug. 20 by tossing 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball but going back to July 3, he has surrendered at least four runs in six of his eight starts (6.38 ERA in that span). Cotton is 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three career starts vs. Houston (A's are 1-2).
The pick: Home has not been where the heart is for Cotton in this, his first full season in the majors. He owns a respectable 3.81 ERA in 10 road starts but in 11 home starts, his ERA is a bloated 7.09 and his WHIP is 1.58. Reminding all of Houston's seven-game winning streak and McHugh's OUTSTANDING career record vs. Oakland (see above), what's not to like about Houston? Make the Astros a 10* play.
The pitching matchup: Collin McHugh (2-2 & 3.25 ERA) is back healthy and is now a regular part of the starting rotation for Houston. He'll be opposed by Oakland's Jharel Cotton (7-10 & 5.53 ERA). McHugh didn't make his first start of 2017 until July 22. He allowed four ERs over just 4 2/3 innings in his first start and seven ERs in his fourth (5 1/3 innings). However, in his other six outings, he's allowed just five ERs over 34 1/3 innings (1.31 ERA). McHugh was denied a chance at winning his third straight start last time out when he was pulled after 4 2/3 innings despite yielding one run on four hits against Texas. McHugh pitched six scoreless innings in a 3-0 win over Oakland on Aug. 19, upping his career record against the A's to 7-1 with a 2.73 ERA in 10 starts (team is 9-1). Cotton is a rookie making his 22nd start of 2017. He did beat the Astros on Aug. 20 by tossing 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball but going back to July 3, he has surrendered at least four runs in six of his eight starts (6.38 ERA in that span). Cotton is 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three career starts vs. Houston (A's are 1-2).
The pick: Home has not been where the heart is for Cotton in this, his first full season in the majors. He owns a respectable 3.81 ERA in 10 road starts but in 11 home starts, his ERA is a bloated 7.09 and his WHIP is 1.58. Reminding all of Houston's seven-game winning streak and McHugh's OUTSTANDING career record vs. Oakland (see above), what's not to like about Houston? Make the Astros a 10* play.
