Astros vs. Athletics MLB Picks: All Aboard the Under Train

Michael McClymont

Last Updated: June 1, 2022 7:34 AM EDT • 2 min 27 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 27: Starter Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. Stephen Brashear/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by STEPHEN BRASHEAR / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics wrap up their three-game series Wednesday with an afternoon affair in Oakland. Read on for our Astros-Athletics picks.

The Astros will go for the series sweep against their AL West rivals, and they'll send ace Justin Verlander to the mound. Houston has outscored Oakland 8-2 over the previous two games.

The Athletics will counter with Cole Irvin on the bump. The A's will look to avoid dropping to 1-6 over a seven-game stretch.

Here are my MLB Astros-Athletics picks and predictions for Wednesday's game (odds via Unibet, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Astros vs. Athletics Game Info

Date/Time: Wednesday, June 1, 3:37 p.m. ETTV: ATT SportsNet-SW, NBCS CALocation: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CAWeather: 53 degrees, 0% chance of precipitation, 24-mph wind gusts

Astros vs. Athletics Odds

Astros vs. Athletics Odds Analysis

The Astros have been the heavy betting favorite since lines opened, with the odds climbing from -191 to as high as -235 at DraftKings. Houston is drawing 96% of the cash.

The Over/Under has held steady at 7. But the Under is now drawing even money at Caesars after opening at -105. Much of the cash (91%) and tickets (86%) are on the Over.

Astros vs. Athletics Projected Pitchers

Justin Verlander (6-2, 2.03 ERA, 0.83 WHIP) vs. Cole Irvin (2-2, 3.15 ERA, 1.20 WHIP)

Verlander is enjoying an outstanding start to the season. The 39-year-old ranks ninth in ERA and second in WHIP, a shade behind Corbin Burnes' mark of 0.82. Verlander led the league in ERA prior to his last start, but then the Seattle Mariners shelled him for six earned runs on 10 hits.

https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1530380708270702594?s=20&t=vBGV6z2v4bHmHXsDJu2peg

Nonetheless, the two-time Cy Young winner is the betting favorite to win the AL award again in 2022. He's been given +425 odds at DraftKings.

Meanwhile, Irvin is providing strong support behind Paul Blackburn and Frankie Montas in Oakland's rotation. He's posting career-best ERA and WHIP marks. However, the A's have lost during Irvin's past three starts.

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Astros vs. Athletics Picks

Run line: Astros -1.5 (-118 via Unibet)???Over/Under: Under 7 (+100 via Caesars)?????Player Prop: Verlander Over 6.5 strikeouts (+110 via DraftKings)?????

Astros vs. Athletics RL pick

Astros -1.5 (-118)

The best Astros moneyline price is -220 at Unibet. Rather than bet such a steep price, let's back the run line at -118 odds.

The talent disparity is obvious. The A's are 13 games behind the Astros in the AL West, and that's after just 52 contests. The Astros own a run differential of plus-43, while the A's are at minus-46.

Houston has won seven of its last 10 games, whereas Oakland has won just five times in its last 17 outings, with each loss a multi-run defeat.

Astros vs. Athletics O/U Pick

Under 7 (+100)

Here's a shocker: Houston is the most profitable Under team in MLB, despite producing the league's fourth-best record. The Astros own an Under record of 38-12. The Under is cashing in 76% of their games.

https://twitter.com/betsstats/status/1531643384045133825?s=20&t=vBGV6z2v4bHmHXsDJu2peg

You better believe we're betting on this trend to continue Wednesday, with Verlander facing MLB's fourth-lowest scoring team. The A's are averaging three runs per game over their last six outings.

The Astros rank 20th in runs scored per matchup, and they've averaged 2.1 runs over their last six games. Expect another low-scoring clash.

Astros vs. Athletics Prop Bet

Verlander Over 6.5 strikeouts (+110)

Verlander is averaging 8.58 strikeouts per nine innings in 2022. He's exceeded this total just four times, but the veteran is facing an Oakland lineup that ranks seventh in MLB in strikeouts.

The eight-time All-Star has posted strong career numbers against the Athletics, logging eight strikeouts against Jed Lowrie and Elvis Andrus. Lowrie and Ramon Laureano are hitting .115 and .167, respectively, against Verlander.

Where to Bet on Astros-Athletics Picks

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Astros-Athletics picks made on 6/1/2022 at 10:48 a.m. ET.

Written By:
Michael McClymont

Michael McClymont is a Publishing Editor for Sportsbook Review, providing coverage on NFL and college football. Prior to joining SBR, he covered football as an NFL editor at theScore. Mike has more than 15 years of experience in the journalism industry as a writer and editor. Mike enjoys a good futures bet and to hammer live in-game odds. While his favorite bet was Julian Edelman Super Bowl LIII MVP at +4000, his biggest regret was cashing out a Lamar Jackson 2019 MVP bet in Week 8, a week before he cemented the award with his highlight-reel rushing TD against the Bengals.