Stephen Nover's MLB Total of the Week
(MLB) Houston vs. Oakland, 05/08/2018 6:05 PM, Score: 4 - 2
Total: 8.00 | -104.00 Over
Result: Win
Forget that the Astros scored 16 runs on the A's in Monday night's game. This matchup is going to be a pitching duel between Lance McCullers Jr. and Sean Manaea, two of my favorite young and promising pitchers.

McCullers can be streaky. Right now he's in great from going 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last three starts. His night ERA this season is 1.42. The A's aren't swinging hot bats. They are averaging only two runs per game during their last three games and haven't scored more than three runs in six of their last seven games. Oakland may not have outfielder Stephen Piscotty back in its lineup either. Piscotty's mother passed away on Sunday night and he has been away from the team.

Manaea is having a break through season going 4-3 with a 1.63 ERA. He's 2-1 with a 0.73 ERA when pitching at spacious and pitcher-friendly Oakland Coliseum. The Under is 10-1-1 during Manea's last 12 starts.

Doug Eddings is slated to be the home plate umpire. That's a plus for the under given Eddings' generous strike zone. The under has cashed four of five times Eddings has been behind the plate this year.