Astros vs. Athletics: MLB Top Against Bottom AL West Contest

Major League Baseball, and the American League West in particular, is our focus today as we zero in on the Oakland Athletics versus Houston Astros contest. This is second of a three game series between these clubs.

Oakland loves playing Houston as the Athletics sport a 10-0 record in 2013 against the newest team of the AL West. First pitch flies at 8:10 PM ET on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, from Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

Oakland Athletics: Leaders in the American League West

Sitting with a three game lead over the Texas Rangers in the American League West Division, the Athletics are proving that their 2012 MLB postseason appearance wasn’t a fluke. Although their numbers don’t shine in any one category, whether it be pitching or hitting, this club plays a team game and they get help from multiple sources game in and game out. Athletics RHP Jarrod Parker (6-6 ERA 3.95) heads to the hill for Oakland tonight. Parker had a rough April (1-4 ERA 7.36) but he has settled in since and has allowed just 22 earned runs over his last 78 innings pitched.

Houston Astros: Look to promising young pitcher to right the sinking ship

To say the Houston Astros first season in the American League has been a rough one would be an understatement. Currently sitting at 33-65 (.337 win percentage) the Stros own the worst record in baseball, they have struck out more than any other club (911) and their team ERA (4.91) is the worst in the Majors. Promising stud rookie RHP Jarred Cosart makes his second big league start in this contest. Cosart was brilliant in his MLB debut as he limited the Tampa Bay Rays to just two hits over eight innings (no-hitter into the seventh) in a 2-1 Astros win prior to the All-Star break.

Bovada MLB Athletics vs. Astros Betting Lines & Sportsbook Review Game Day Call

As was the case in the A’s 4-3 series opening win last night, Oakland is thick road chalk once again tonight. The Athletics are posted at -1.5 (-110) ATS and -170 on the money line at the bovada.lv online sports and entertainment wagering website. Houston is listed as home pups at +1.5 (-120) ATS and +150 S/U while the Over/Under is set at 8.5 (O -110 U -120) total runs. That number is a little high in our view. For this AL West MLB action we are going to split our normal wager and back the Athletics with the -170 ML and add on an Oakland ML plus the UNDER on a two bet parlay.