Houston Astros vs Athletics Picks and Predictions for Sunday April 5, 2026
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
The Houston Astros travel to Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, for a Sunday, April 5, 2026, matchup with the Athletics. First pitch is set for 4:05 PM, and the game will be shown on MLB.TV. Houston is listed at -122 on the moneyline, while the Athletics come in at +102. The total is set at 10, with the over priced at -110 and the under at -110. On the run line, the Astros are -1.5 at +123, while the Athletics are +1.5 at -149. Readers looking for more betting insight should also check out free MLB picks.
Starting Pitchers for This Matchup
Lance McCullers Jr. gets the ball for Houston after a sharp first outing in which he went 7.0 innings with a 1.29 ERA and 0.71 WHIP. He allowed four hits, struck out nine, walked one, and did not allow a home run while picking up the win. Jacob Lopez starts for the Athletics and enters with an 0-1 record, a 6.75 ERA, and a 2.75 WHIP through 4.0 innings. In that appearance, he allowed six hits, did not record a strikeout, walked five, and did not give up a home run. 
Houston Carries Strong Form Into Sacramento
Houston enters this game with a 6-3 record and a 1-1 mark on the road. Over its last five games, the Astros recently won over the Athletics, and they also recently won over Boston three straight times before that. Their only loss in that stretch came against the Athletics, but overall this has been a productive recent run with four wins in the last five games.
The Astros are batting .259 as a team with 49 runs, 69 hits, and nine home runs. They have produced a .357 on-base percentage and a .440 slugging percentage. On the mound, Houston has a 5.45 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP, while opponents are batting .231 against them. The staff has also recorded 90 strikeouts and 43 walks.
One clear strength for Houston has been its ability to produce offense. The Astros have scored 49 runs and collected 69 hits while also posting nine home runs and a .440 slugging percentage. That kind of production has helped offset some uneven team pitching numbers and gives them a strong edge when the lineup is rolling.
Athletics Try to Bounce Back at Home
The Athletics come into this contest at 2-6 overall and 1-1 at home. Over their last five games, they recently lost to Houston and Atlanta twice, but they also recently won over Houston and Atlanta once each. The results have been mixed, but the most recent outing was a difficult one after an 11-0 loss.
The Athletics are hitting .206 with 28 runs, 48 hits, and eight home runs. Their on-base percentage is .266 and their slugging percentage is .348. On the pitching side, they own a 4.28 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP, while opponents are hitting .246 against them. The staff has recorded 47 strikeouts and 34 walks.
The biggest weakness for the Athletics has been overall offensive consistency. A .206 batting average and .266 on-base percentage make it difficult to sustain rallies, and that has contributed to just 28 runs through eight games. Even with eight home runs, the lineup has not been as steady as Houston’s.
Houston Astros vs Athletics Picks and Prediction
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vinciletti | +2,384.00 |
| 2 |  Nick Parsons | +1,985.00 |
| 3 |  Tom Macrina | +583.00 |
| 4 |  Steve Seagrave | +332.00 |
Houston Astros vs Athletics Pick
Pick: Houston Astros Moneyline
Houston gets the edge here because it has been the better overall offensive team and also holds the stronger starting pitching profile in this matchup. The Astros have scored more runs, collected more hits, and posted better rate numbers at the plate, while their starter is coming off a dominant outing with nine strikeouts in 7.0 innings. The Athletics have been less productive offensively and their starter struggled with command in his first appearance, so Houston looks like the better side.
Houston Astros vs Athletics Total Pick
Pick: Over 10
I like the over in this game because Houston has shown the ability to score in bunches, with 49 runs already and 11 runs in the most recent meeting. The Astros also carry a 5.45 team ERA, so even though their starter was excellent in his first outing, the overall pitching numbers leave room for the Athletics to contribute. With Houston’s offense leading the way, this total looks reachable.
Final Score Prediction: Houston Astros 7 – Athletics 4
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Saturday.
Betting on the MLB?
- Join other baseball fans that bet with the top sportsbooks
- Claim a welcome offer with the best MLB betting promos
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $250 If Your Bet Wins!
New Customers: Bet $5+ Get $300 in Bonus Bets Instantly
Related posts
Baltimore Orioles vs Cleveland Guardians Picks and Predictions for Thursday, April 16, 2026
The Baltimore Orioles will be on the road Thursday night for a 6:10 PM matchup inside Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH, against the Cleveland Guardians....
