Kenny G laid the –135 with Houston to avoid a four-game sweep, citing a massive bullpen edge and Oakland’s inevitable regression. While rookie lefty JT Ginn has been solid (1 ER over 5 IP in his lone recent start), Kenny reminded listeners the A’s relief corps owns the league’s worst ERA and will be exposed once Ginn exits. Houston counters with southpaw Colton Gordon, who has delivered two strong outings in his last five and already held Oakland to three runs back on June 28. Despite the Astros offense going cold this series, they still sit second in MLB batting average and eighth in OBP on the season. Oakland’s recent surge is powered by Nick Kurtz’s debut, but Kenny doubts a lineup that is only 15th in runs can keep punishing an Astros bullpen that has been top-10 most of 2025.

Drew Martin plans to bet the Astros in the late game as long as the money-line price remains reasonable. Rookie left-hander Colton Gordon boasts a 30-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio through his first three MLB starts and has posted back-to-back gems. Houston’s bullpen is rolling and the lineup ranks top-five in OPS over the last two weeks. Martin expects them to handle Oakland swing-man Jacob Lopez, who profiles as a replacement-level arm. He leans toward the game total over because of the park, but his primary ticket is Houston to win convincingly.