Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros – Prediction, 9/12/2024 – MLB Tips, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros

Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024

Location: Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX

TV: NBC Sports California

Odds/point distribution: Oakland (+200) Houston (-245)

Minute Maid Park is where the Houston Astros (77-67) will try to defeat the Oakland Athletics (63-82) on Thursday. The moneyline for this contest is Oakland at +200 while Houston is at -245. The total is 08.0. The pitchers on the mound are Mitch Spence and Framber Valdez.

As a team, the Athletics have recorded 213 two-baggers and hit 183 balls out of the ballpark. Oakland has a slugging percentage of .398 and has been struck out 1,339 times while walking 447 times. As a team, the Oakland Athletics are scoring 4.1 runs per game, which ranks 26th in the league. They have 565 RBIs and 1,135 hits this year and their team batting average is .234. They have scored 588 runs and have a team OBP of .303.

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The Athletics have a team earned run average of 4.32 this season (24th in MLB) and their team has struck out 1,141 batters. The Athletics' pitchers have allowed a total of 146 home runs and 681 runs (23rd in MLB). Their pitching staff has walked 482 other team players and their FIP as a team this season is 4.18. Oakland has allowed 1,223 base hits (8.5 per 9 innings) and 619 earned runs. They have a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.37 and their pitching staff has a WHIP of 1.32.

The Athletics have sent 472 relief pitchers to the mound this year. Bullpen pitchers have taken on 218 base runners this season, with 32.1% of them crossing the plate. They have collected 30 saves this year and wasted 20 of 50 save opportunities. The Athletics' bullpen has posted a 60.0% save percentage and has entered the game in 141 save situations. Relief pitchers have recorded 88 holds this season (7th in baseball). Athletics' bullpen pitchers have entered the game with runners on base 153 times and have had 150 appearances in high-pressure situations.

The Oakland Athletics have recorded 3,865 putouts this season, in addition to 1,212 assists and 79 errors. Their fielding percentage is .985, which ranks 19th in professional baseball, and they have 127 double plays. The Athletics have turned 69.2% of balls in play into outs in their 11,595 innings, which ranks 21st in MLB.

Spence (career record 7-9 wins and losses) has a FIP of 4.36 and has faced 556 opposing batters in the Major Leagues. He has allowed 137 base hits (9.5 hits per 9 innings) and 41 walks. His earned run average is 4.43 (64 earned runs allowed) and his WHIP is 1.368. Spence has carried the ball for 130 innings and has 111 Ks over the course of his career.

The Houston Astros have a team on-base percentage of .321 and a batting average of .261 this year. They have had 1,062 base hits (27th in MLB) and have had 1,290 base hits. Houston has 170 home runs this year and 634 RBIs. The Astros have a team SLG% of .418 and are scoring 4.61 runs per game (12th in the league). They have hit 232 two-baggers, got a free base 393 times and scored 664 runs.

The Astros have a team WHIP of 1.248 and as a pitching staff, a FIP of 4.07 on the year. Their current strikeout-to-walk ratio is 9.30 (1,317 strikeouts vs. 504 walks). They rank 2nd in baseball with 1,093 hits allowed. They have allowed 162 home runs and allowed 4.06 runs per 9 innings (5th in MLB). Houston's pitching staff has allowed 578 runs this season and holds a 3.72 ERA (529 earned runs allowed).

Houston relievers have a 28.7% percentage of taken points from their 129 baserunners taken. Their relievers have stepped in 132 times in high-pressure situations, in addition to 87 opportunities with runners on base. With 138 save situations, the Astros have amassed 80 holds and 22 blown saves. They rank 19th in baseball with a 61.4% save rate and have sent 455 bullpen pitchers to the field over the course of the season. Houston has had bullpen pitchers step on the mound on 57 save opportunities, and they have made 35 saves.

The Houston Astros have turned 118 double plays and posted a fielding percentage of .986 (10th in the major leagues). The Astros have made 1,169 assists and 72 errors and have totaled 3,840 putouts this season. In their 11,520 innings on the field, the Astros have a defensive efficiency of 70.7% (7th in baseball).

Valdez (career record 67-40) has a 3.32 earned run average and has allowed 7.5 hits per nine innings. His K/BB ratio is 2.69 and he has faced 3,601 batters so far in his career. He has allowed a total of 321 earned runs while holding a WHIP of 1.195 and a FIP of 3.3. During his career, Valdez has allowed 723 hits and has totaled 850 Ks in 869 frames.

Who will win today's MLB game against the spread or the moneyline?

Josh Schonwald's tip: Take Oakland (+200)

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