Oakland Athletics vs Houston Astros Picks and Predictions June 18th 2025

Oakland Athletics vs Houston Astros June 18th 2025

The Houston Astros will take on the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, CA. This night game is set for Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 10:05 PM and will be broadcast on SCHN. The weather forecast predicts a very hot day with clear skies and calm crosswinds.

Houston enters the game with a 41-31 record this season. They have performed well at home with a 27-13 record but have struggled on the road, holding a 14-18 record. The Athletics have a 30-44 record and are 12 games behind in the AL West. Their home record stands at 13-23. The starting pitchers are Framber Valdez for the Astros and Luis Severino for the Athletics.

Astros vs Athletics Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Houston Astros vs. None Athletics
• Venue: Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, CA
• Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
• Betting Odds: Astros MoneyLine -164, Athletics MoneyLine +137

The Astros Can Win If…

The Houston Astros recently played against the None Athletics and lost 3-1. Ryan Gusto pitched well with 8 strikeouts over 5 innings. Jose Altuve hit a solo home run, showing his ability to contribute offensively.

Houston’s batting average ranks 4th in the league at .253, indicating consistent hitting. Their pitching staff leads the league with a .219 batting average against and 711 strikeouts. These stats show their potential to control the game both offensively and defensively.

Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes are key players for the Astros. Peña has a batting average of .320, while Paredes has hit 15 home runs. With Framber Valdez starting, who has an ERA of 3.10, the Astros have a strong chance to win.

The Athletics Can Win If…

The None Athletics recently secured a 3-1 win against the Houston Astros. Mitch Spence delivered a solid performance, allowing just one run over five innings. Key hitters like Nick Kurtz and JJ Bleday contributed with home runs, demonstrating the team’s power at the plate.

The Athletics’ batting lineup shows strength with a team batting average of .253, ranking them 4th in the league. Their ability to hit home runs is evident with 92 homers this season, placing them 7th. With players like Brent Rooker and Tyler Soderstrom leading the charge, the team can put up runs quickly.

Starting pitcher Luis Severino will take the mound, bringing experience and skill. His ERA of 4.47 suggests he can manage opposing batters effectively. Combined with a lineup capable of hitting for power, the Athletics have the tools to win this game.

The Lean

The Astros are the favorite with a moneyline of -164 against the Athletics’ +137. My model projects the Astros to win with a score of 6-4. The Astros have a strong pitching staff with a 3.43 ERA, ranked 6th, while the Athletics’ ERA is 5.42, ranked 29th. This gives the Astros a clear edge.

The over/under line is set at 9.5 runs. The projected total score from my model is 10 runs. Given the Athletics’ pitching struggles and the Astros’ solid hitting, taking the over is a reasonable choice. The Athletics’ pitching has allowed a high number of home runs, which could contribute to a higher scoring game.

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Astros’ Framber Valdez Aims for 7th Straight Win vs. A’s Wednesday

One of the hottest pitchers in baseball, Framber Valdez will look to extend his dominant stretch when the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics Wednesday night in West Sacramento.

Valdez (7-4, 3.10 ERA) has been on a tear, winning five straight starts and posting a 2.02 ERA over his past seven outings. The left-hander struck out 23 batters over 12 innings in his last two games and threw a complete-game gem against Tampa Bay on May 30 with just 83 pitches.

“I’ve always said that every time I strike out more, that means I throw more pitches,” Valdez told reporters. “That’s why I try to pitch more to contact … that way I last longer.”

Valdez fanned 12 over five innings in a 4-3 win over the White Sox last week and will face an A’s lineup he’s held to a 2.64 ERA over 15 career appearances.

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Astros Riding Momentum After Power Surge

Houston blasted five home runs in Tuesday’s 13-3 rout, with rookie Cam Smith going 4-for-5 with two homers and three RBIs. Mauricio Dubon, Christian Walker, and Cooper Hummel also went deep as the Astros bounced back from Monday’s 3-1 loss.

“I think, inevitably, when you get more opportunities and you keep getting in that lineup, you become more comfortable,” said Smith, whose multi-homer outing was his second in the majors.

Houston has now won 10 of its last 13 and looks poised to continue that form as MLB Betting Trends favor the Astros in this matchup.

Severino Tries to Slow Astros

Right-hander Luis Severino (2-6, 4.47 ERA) will try to cool Houston’s hot bats. He allowed just two runs (one earned) across six innings in his last start vs. the Astros on May 28.

Severino’s overall numbers vs. Houston:

• Regular season: 2-4, 4.60 ERA in 11 appearances
• Postseason (with Yankees): 0-3, 4.42 ERA in 4 starts

However, Severino has struggled at West Sacramento, going 0-6 with a 7.10 ERA in nine starts at the A’s temporary home.

Oakland, meanwhile, had its season-best four-game winning streak snapped Tuesday. Gio Urshela returned from the injured list and collected two of the team’s four hits, but the A’s fell behind 11-0 early.

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“Any time you get behind a good team like that, it’s tough to come back,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay admitted.

With Valdez in form and Houston’s offense firing, the Astros will look to take the series lead and deliver value for those targeting MLB Game Predictions and Picks for Wednesday night.