TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH
#915 OAKLAND with Luzardo (+100) over Houston with Urquidy at 3:35 PM EST
Off a pair of 10-5 and 5-2 losses to the ‘Stros and with elimination on the line, the A’s will dig deep and pick up a huge victory on Wednesday afternoon.
Young left-hander Jesus Luzardo will toe the rubber for the AL West champs. In his last three performances against the White Sox, Dodgers and Giants, No. 44 was tripped for six earned runs and 14 hits in 12.1 innings of work. Luzardo fanned 12 and issued three free passes on his way to a 1-1 mark with a 4.61 ERA. In a pair of starts against Houston on September 9th and August 9th (both at home), Jesus threw well surrendering just four earned runs and nine hits in 12.2 frames. Luzardo struck out 12 and walked three en route to a 1-0 record with an elite 2.84 ERA.
Countering for the red-hot Astros will be right-hander Jose Urquidy. With five starts in the bank this season, No. 65 has been nicked for only nine earned runs and 22 hits in 29.2 innings. Urquidy whiffed 17, walked eight and served up four homers on his way to a 1-1 tally with a 2.73 ERA. Back on September 10th, Jose faced the Athletics on the road and was popped for two earned runs and two hits in 6.0 frames. Urquidy struck out one, walked three and dished up one dong and was tagged with the 3-1 loss.
Several team trends support this Best Bet. Oakland has won 29 of its last 39 in the third game of a series, 43 of its last 60 coming off a loss, 39 of its last 54 after allowing five runs or more last and 21 of its last 29 after scoring two runs or less previously. On the other side of Dodger Stadium, Houston has dropped nine of its last 10 after scoring five runs or more.
The Astros had a losing record before the playoffs started. With their proverbial backs to the wall, the A’s will find a way to get it done. Take Oakland with Luzardo. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
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