Tuesday, October6, 2020, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, 4:37 p.m. ET
Astros at A’s Betting Preview: Astros (-102), A’s (-112)
Houston Astros
Carlos Correa said a mechanical adjustment with hitting coach Alex Cintron has him back on track, as evidenced by his two home runs Monday as the Astros earned a 10-5 win in Game 1. Correa was trying to regain the magic from his 2017 season, but Cintron had him go back to his rookie season of 2015 and some subtle stance changes seem to have done the trick.
Dodger Stadium looked like a hitters’ park in Game 1, and with all day games in the series, more long balls could be on the way, although temperatures will decrease from what they were Monday.
Game 2 starter Framber Valdez doesn’t figure to be fazed by Monday’s power display from both teams. He gave up just five home runs all season in 70 2/3 innings, with his only two-homer game of the season coming on Sept. 12, though it did occur at Dodger Stadium.
Oakland A’s
The A’s got off to the offensive start they were looking for, but they couldn’t get to the Astros’ bullpen in Game 1. Four Houston relievers did not give up a hit over the final five innings.
Khris Davis, Sean Murphy and Matt Olson hit home runs for the A’s. Marcus Semien had two hits, but the shortstop also committed a two-out error in the sixth that opened the door for Houston’s go-ahead, four-run inning. Jake Lamb, acquired after third baseman Matt Chapman was lost for the season, went 0-for-2 before he was lifted for a pinch hitter.
The A’s will send lefty Sean Manaea to the mound in Game 2. He gave up seven home runs in 54 innings this year, and like Valdez, his only two-homer game of the season came at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 23.
Astros at A’s Betting Pick for Game 2
The A’s appeared on their way to a Game 1 victory but instead are relying on the knowledge that they lost Game 1 of the wild-card series and still rebounded to advance. What they will need to do is to get some offense going against the Houston bullpen.
With Dodger Stadium playing small, Valdez seems better equipped to deal with the conditions, especially after his dominating five-inning performance of his playoff debut last week against the Twins.
Astros at A’s Betting Pick:
Astros 6, A’s 4
Astros at A’s Best Bet for Game 2
The playoffs appear to be the Astros’ comfort zone, and there is nothing to suggest that won’t continue into Game 2 of the ALDS. Three home runs were a welcome site Monday for Oakland, but the A’s will need more baserunners moving forward.
Astros at A’s Best Bet: OVER 8.5 total runs (-114)
–Field Level Media
