Pick Details
OAK
| Pick |
|---|
| HOU (128) @ Fanduel |
8* Take Houston (#903)
In three starts since taking an extended September rest, Lance McCullers allowed a grand total of seven hits and zero earned runs in 17.2 innings of work. He dominated the A’s in his only start against them during the regular season. And they’re getting the A’s on a neutral field, a huge difference, considering they played eight of ten meetings with Oakland in Oakland this year. Former A’s outfielder Josh Reddick, now with Houston: “Getting those guys out of their comfort level increases our chance of success. Getting to a neutral site is huge for us.”
The A’s went 22-10 at home this year, 14-14 on the highway. Starter Chris Bassitt had a significant home/road split this season: an 0.72 ERA in six home starts in sharp contrast with a 4.56 ERA in five starts away from home. The Astros are 7-0 in their last seven tries as a postseason underdog, remarkably profitable in this role, and they just showed they can win a playoff series away from home by knocking the favored Twins out of the first round. Live dog here! Take the Astros.
