The Houston Astros (84-74) and the A’s (75-83) wrap up a 3-game series Thursday at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California. First pitch is scheduled for 3:35 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Astros vs. A’s odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: A’s lead 8-4

The A’s belted the Astros 6-0 Wednesday night as short ‘dogs (+120) at home, dealing Houston a major blow to its postseason prospects in the process. The Under (9) cashed, as the A’s picked up their 11th shutout victory of the season, and second since Sept. 12. The Under is 6-1-1 in the past 8 games, and 11-3-1 in the past 15 outings.

A’s C Shea Langeliers went 4-for-4 with a double, homer, 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs, while LF Tyler Soderstrom went 2-for-4 with a double, homer and 2 RBIs. All-Star DH Brent Rooker also drove in a pair of runs, finishing 1-for-4.

Astros RHP Hunter Brown was knocked around for 4 ER, 6 H and 2 BB in just 5 IP, taking his ninth loss of the season. SS Carlos Correa provided the only multi-hit effort, going 2-for-4 with a single and a double, while 1B Christian Walker had a double in 4 at-bats.

The Astros are now a game back of the equally skidding Detroit Tigers for the final AL Wild Card spot. Houston has dropped 5 in a row, and the Under is 4-2 in the past 6 games. If the Astros miss the playoffs, the A’s are a major reason for their demise. Houston has dropped 7 in a row vs. the A’s since June 19.

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Astros at A’s projected starters

LHP Framber Valdez vs. RHP J.T. Ginn

Valdez (12-11, 3.75 ERA) makes his 31st start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 through 185 innings.

Last start: Loss, 4 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H (1 HR), 4 BB, 4 K in 6-4 home setback vs. Seattle Mariners SaturdayLast 7 games: 1-6, 6.64 ERA (39 1/3 IP, 29 ER), 17 BB, 32 K, 1.55 WHIP2025 road stats: 6-7, 4.96 ERA (90 2/3 IP, 50 ER), 7 HR, 34 BB, 85 K, 1.33 WHIP in 15 starts (1 CG)2025 vs. A’s (1 start): Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 5 BB, 3 K in 11-4 road win June 18Career vs. A’s: 7-4, 2.66 ERA (98 IP, 29 ER), 5 HR, 29 BB, 88 K, 1.00 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 in 14 starts (16 appearances)

Ginn (4-6, 4.57 ERA) makes his 16th start and 23rd appearances. He has a 1.32 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 through 86 2/3 innings.

Last start: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H (1 HR), 1 BB, 3 K in 5-3 road win vs. Boston Red Sox last ThursdayLast 7 games: 2-2, 4.86 ERA (33 1/3 IP, 18 ER), 11 BB, 37 K, 1.44 WHIP2025 home stats: 1-4, 5.98 ERA (43 2/3 IP, 29 ER), 12 HR, 20 BB, 50 K, 1.56 WHIP in 8 starts (12 appearances)2025/career vs. Astros: 1-0, 1.69 ERA (10 2/3 IP, 2 ER), 6 H, 1 BB, 9 K in 1 start (3 appearances)Astros at A’s odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:13 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Astros -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Athletics +100 (bet $100 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (-235) | Athletics +1.5 (-190)Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Astros at A’s picks and predictionsPrediction

A’s 5, Astros 4

The A’S (+100) are the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.

Houston has been outscored 11-1 in the first 2 games of this series, and it has dropped 5 in a row. The Astros are in the hunt for a postseason spot, but you’d never know it by their lack of urgency.

On the flip side, the A’s are 9-3 across the past 12 games, and the Athletics look more like the team in the chase for a wild-card spot. The A’s are a respectable 18-15 against left-handed starting pitchers this season, too.

The A’s +1.5 (-154) are just priced a little out of line if you require a bit of insurance. Really, there has been little to like or fear about the Astros, and the A’s handle the bat well against lefties.

UNDER 9.5 (-110) is the lean, but again, go with the half-unit play.

The Under has cashed in each of the first 2 games of this series, while going 5-1 in the past 6 outings for the A’s. At home, the total is 6-2 in the past 8 for the A’s, too.

The Astros have cashed low in 4 of the past 6, while going 5-1 in the past 6 meetings in this series.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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