Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics Picks and Predictions July 25th 2025

Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics July 25th 2025

The Athletics will play against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park in Houston, TX. The game is set for Friday, July 25, 2025, at 8:10 PM. The game will be shown on NSPCA, and the weather forecast predicts a warm day with moderate rain, though the retractable roof may minimize any impact.

The Athletics have a season record of 43-62, with a road record of 23-31. Their manager, Mark Kotsay, leads the team. The Houston Astros, managed by Joe Espada, hold a record of 60-43 and have performed well at home with a 33-20 record. Jeffrey Springs will start for the Athletics, while Ryan Gusto will take the mound for the Astros.

Athletics vs Astros Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Athletics vs. Houston Astros
• Venue: Daikin Park in Houston, TX
• Date: Friday, July 25, 2025
• Betting Odds: Athletics Moneyline +134, Astros Moneyline -158, Athletics Runline +1.5 (-166), Astros Runline -1.5 (+138), Total Over 8.0 (-128), Total Under 8.0 (+104)

The Athletics Can Win If…

The Athletics recently secured a 5-2 victory against the Houston Astros. Luis Severino led the charge on the mound with 7 strong innings, allowing just 2 runs and striking out 8 batters. Key hitters like Luis Urías and Nick Kurtz contributed significantly, with Urías hitting a home run and Kurtz adding two doubles.

The Athletics have shown strength in their slugging ability, ranked 5th in the league with a .419 slugging percentage. Their lineup also boasts power with 135 home runs, placing them 7th in the league. Players like Nick Kurtz, who has 19 home runs, provide a solid middle-of-the-order presence.

Jeffrey Springs will take the mound for the Athletics with a 4.18 ERA. Springs has proven effective in limiting walks and keeping runners off base with a WHIP of 1.22. The Athletics’ ability to strike out batters, with 840 strikeouts this season, gives them an edge in controlling the game’s pace.

The Astros Can Win If…

The Houston Astros are looking to bounce back from their recent 5-2 loss against the Athletics. In that game, Taylor Trammell was a standout, going 3-for-4 at the plate. Despite the loss, the Astros have shown resilience in previous games, winning four straight before this setback.

Houston’s batting lineup is a key reason they can win this game. They rank 2nd in the league with a .259 batting average, showing consistent hitting ability. Players like Jose Altuve and Victor Caratini bring solid performances, with Altuve hitting .281 and Caratini at .270 this season.

On the mound, Ryan Gusto will start for the Astros. His record of 6-3 and experience can help lead the team to victory. The Astros’ pitching staff ranks 5th in earned run average, which can be a strong factor in keeping the Athletics’ offense in check.

The Lean

The Astros are favored with a moneyline of -158 against the Athletics at +134. The Astros have a strong pitching lineup with a 3.60 ERA, ranked 5th, and a batting average against of .228, ranked 3rd. With these stats, the recommendation is to pick the Astros to win. The model projects a score of Astros 5, Athletics 3.

The total for the game is set at 8.0. The Athletics have a high team ERA of 5.22, ranked 29th, which suggests they may give up runs. The model projects a combined score of 8. This aligns closely with the line, so the recommendation is to take the over at 8.0.

Injuries Force Astros to Shuffle Lineup Again

The Houston Astros injury report continues to grow, forcing manager Joe Espada to rely heavily on newly recalled players and waiver acquisitions. Thursday’s starter, Jason Alexander, began the year with the Oakland Athletics, highlighting just how patchwork Houston’s roster has become. Also in the lineup were Jon Singleton, Brice Matthews, and Zack Short — none of whom were on the Astros’ roster as of July 1.

Espada, a candidate for AL Manager of the Year, credited his communication skills for helping navigate the roster chaos. “Trust starts with conversations and knowing who I am and my expectations,” he said.

Astros Turn to Gusto for Stability

Rookie right-hander Ryan Gusto (6-3, 4.46 ERA) will take the mound Friday for Houston. He pitched six strong innings in a July 6 victory over the Dodgers, giving up just one run. He has since made three appearances out of the bullpen, showing versatility in a taxing stretch for the Astros’ rotation. In his only appearance vs. Oakland this season, he struck out eight and allowed just one run in five innings.

If the Astros hope to stay in contention in the tightly packed AL West standings, a bounce-back performance from Gusto could be crucial.

Athletics Counter With Springs, Eye Momentum Shift

Oakland will counter with southpaw Jeffrey Springs (8-7, 4.18 ERA), coming off a rough outing in Cleveland where he allowed five runs in four innings. While his history against Houston is limited, he did earn a win against them with a scoreless relief appearance while with Tampa Bay in 2021.

The A’s are seeking consecutive road wins for the first time in weeks as they aim to climb out of the AL cellar. Springs’ ability to command the zone early will be key to neutralizing Houston’s power threats.

Young Core Management Key for Oakland

Shortstop Jacob Wilson was given Thursday off to help manage his workload in the second half. Batting .327 but currently in an 0-for-17 slump, the rookie is expected to remain a central part of Oakland’s rebuild. Manager Mark Kotsay emphasized the importance of preserving Wilson’s legs through a long season.

Both Teams Eye Urgency as Deadline Looms

While Houston clings to playoff hopes despite its battered roster, Oakland is looking to spoil those plans and build momentum. With the MLB trade deadline approaching, both clubs are under pressure to define their direction.

Stay up to date with all the upcoming matchups and insights on our expert MLB picks and previews page.