Houston Astros -1.5 (+115), Cincinnati (63-72) is 1-5 last six games. The Reds are 1-4 last five Harang (8-7, 4.25) starts, including an 8-0 home loss to Houston on Aug.31, Harang allowing four runs over five innings. Houston (73-63) fighting for a wild card berth has won nine straight, by a combined 84-38. The Astros are 3-1 in four Backe (2-2, 4.74) starts this season, including an 8-0 win at Cincinnati on Aug.31, Backe allowing three hits over six innings. Backe in his latest home start faced the Cubs on Aug.21, allowing no runs on four hits over seven innings. Houston has won the last five meetings, all coming at Cinci, by a combined 43-11.
Boston / Oakland OVER 9 (at) Oakland (81-55) has averaged 6.6 runs over its last ten games. Athletics starter Zito (10-9, 4.6) has allowed eight runs in 12 innings over his last two starts. Zito is 0-1 vs. the Red Sox this season, losing at Boston 11-0 on July 6, allowing seven runs over four innings. Boston's (81-54) 773 runs scored leads MLB. Red Sox starter Arroyo (7-9, 4.24) in his latest start, allowed five runs lasting only 2 2/3 innings, still Boston beat Anaheim 12-7. Arroyo is 0-1 vs. Oakland this season, losing at home 15-2 on May 27, allowing six runs over 3 1/3 innings. The Red Sox are 5-1 over Oakland this season, all played in Boston, all six games going over the total.