Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics FREE ALDS Pick, 10–6–2020

FREE MLB Playoff Pick by Kelvin Baker of DocumentedHandicappers.com

Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics

MLB Odds: Astros -110 | Athletics -110, O/U 9
Time: 4:37 PM EST
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2020

The first pitch for Game 2 of the ALDS will be 4:37 pm EST from Dodger Stadium as the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics. Houston rallied from a 3–0 deficit on Monday to win 10–5 to take Game 1. These AL West foes have developed a rivalry after playing 10 times this season with Oakland winning 7 of 10.

Framber Valdez was arguably the Astros top starter this season as he posted a 3.57 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP accompanied by a 5–3 record in 70.2 innings of action. Valdez will get the start in Game 2 as he looks to replicate his first postseason start vs. the Twins, tossing 5 shutout frames in a 4–1 victory. The Astros offense often struggled at the plate this season but the bats woke up in Game 1 behind Carlos Correa who went 3–5 with a pair of solo home runs. Alex Bregman also hit a home run and George Springer went 4–5. Pitching has been key for this team all season and their playoff experience is second to none which makes the Astros a dangerous team in the ALDS.

Sean Manaea (4–3, 4.50 ERA) will get the nod for Oakland in Game 2. Manaea defeated the Astros on September 10th, going seven innings while allowing just one run on two hits while striking out four. The Athletics key to success this season was to get out to an early lead and let their starters and bullpen close the door. Oaklands’ bullpen was exceptional vs. the Astros in 2020, posting a 0.63 ERA over 10 games. Will the Athletics pitching step up to the challenge and silence the suddenly hot bats of the Astros?

Oakland easily won the AL West behind exceptional pitching which always plays well in the playoffs. A’s starter Sean Manaea is a reliable option and has neutralized the Astros in his career, sporting a terrific 3.27 ERA in 13 meetings. Oakland has also hit left-handed pitching well this season with a .765 OPS vs. southpaws. Oakland will bounce back in Game 2 to even this series and make this a hotly contested ALDS.

Astros vs. A’s Free NLDS Pick: Oakland Athletics -110