The set-up: Houston managed to make it into the Playoffs last year. The Astros lost George Springer and some other big names as well and I think the organization will have difficulties duplicating its past successes as it tries to recover from the cheating scandal still. The A's on the other hand won the AL West last year for the first time since 2013. Oakland has remained largely the same team and I expect it to find a way to deliver the goods here tonight. Zack Greinke was 3-3 with a 4.03 ERA last year. Note that last year that Astros were the only team to make the playoffs that did not have double-digit victories on the road (just 9-23 away from friendly confines.)

The pick: Chris Bassitt was excellent for Oakland last season, going 5-2 with a 2.29 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Also note that the A's are 90-37 in their last 127 home games as the favorite, while Houston is just 5-12 in its last 17 vs. a right-handed starter. Great value on the much better team and pitcher!

This is an 8* DESTRUCTION on the A's.