Astros vs. A’s (May 31): Unlucky run to continue for Montas

Last night in Oakland, Framber Valdez outdueled the previously unbeaten Paul Blackburn to lead the Houston Astros over the A’s in the series opener between the two AL West rivals.

Tonight, Cristian Javier will look to do the same against Frankie Montas to lead Houston to its seventh series win in its last nine series.

The Astros lost two of three at Seattle this past weekend, but they got back into the win column yesterday with a 5-1 win, as Valdez tossed a complete game to notch his fourth straight win.

The A’s don’t get a break in the middle game of the three-game set, as Javier has been excellent in his last two starts since getting roughed up by the Washington Nationals two weeks ago.

Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Houston Astros (31-18, 17-12 road, 1st in the AL West) vs. Oakland A’s (20-31, 7-18 home, 5th in the AL West)
• Venue & Location: Oakland Coliseum (Oakland, California)
• Date: Tuesday, May 31, 2022
• Time: 9:40 p.m. Eastern Time (6:40 p.m. local time)
• How to Watch Today’s Astros vs. A’s Game: AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Astros), NBC Sports California (A’s), MLB Extra Innings (subscription package)

Astros vs. A’s Pitching Matchup

• Houston Astros: Cristian Javier (2022: 9 appearances – 5 starts, 3-2, 2.48 ERA)
• Oakland A’s: Frankie Montas (2022: 10 starts, 2-4, 3.28 ERA)

Astros vs. A’s Odds

Odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended online sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• Houston Astros -136
• Oakland A’s +116

Over/Under

• OVER 6.5 (-122)
• UNDER 6.5 (+100)

Run Line

• Houston Astros -1.5 (+125)
• Oakland A’s +1.5 (-150)

Will Anemic Offense Doom Montas to Yet Another Defeat?

On many other teams, Montas would have a winning record and be on the periphery of the AL Cy Young Award conversation.

With the 29-year-old righty being mentioned as a prime trade candidate, we might get to see him have a prominent role for a playoff-contending team at some point this season.

For now, though, he is suffering through an unlucky stretch with the A’s, who have been absolutely atrocious offensively in his May starts.

In his five starts this month, the A’s have scored a grand total of five runs. Unsurprisingly, Oakland has lost all five of those games, with four of the losses coming at Oakland Coliseum.

In his two most recent home starts, Montas has recorded 12 and 11 strikeouts and allowed only nine hits, three walks, and three runs in 13 innings. He has pitched well enough to pick up wins in both starts, but the A’s produced just one run in each game.

For the season, the A’s rank dead last in MLB in runs per game at home, averaging just 2.76 runs per game. It’s unlikely to get any better tonight. Javier allowed seven runs, eight hits, and three walks in 3.2 innings of a loss to the Nationals on May 14, but he has bounced back with two excellent efforts.

Against the Texas Rangers eleven days ago, he allowed one run, three hits, and one walk and struck out nine in six innings, taking a hard-luck loss as the Astros were shut out by Martin Perez, who is one of this season’s biggest surprise success stories.

He followed that up by allowing three hits and a walk and striking out nine in 5.2 shutout innings in a win over the Cleveland Guardians this past Wednesday.

Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Prediction and Best Bets

Astros vs. A’s Prediction: Astros to win

Astros vs. A’s Best Bets: Astros ML (-136 at BetOnline)

The Astros have fairly short odds tonight with the A’s having the better of the pitching matchup, but that means that there is an opportunity to back Houston at fantastic value relative to what you will get most nights.

As well as Montas has pitched recently, he is getting no luck and no love from Oakland’s offense, and that doesn’t stand to improve tonight.

Not only does Javier take the hill following two excellent outings, the Astros have the best bullpen in the league. Entering today, Houston has a 2.48 bullpen ERA, making them the only MLB team with a sub-3.00 bullpen ERA.

Other MLB Content on Betting News for Tuesday, May 31

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