The Houston Astros (99-51) take one of the top lineups in the American League on the road to face the Baltimore Orioles (77-71) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Thursday for the first of a four-game series. The Astros are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Rays, taking the finale 5-2 on Wednesday at Tropicana Field for their fourth straight win. Martin Maldonado was 3 for 4 with a solo home run. The Orioles are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Tigers in their last series, taking the finale 8-1 on Wednesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Kyle Stowers went 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Orioles have won two of three in the season series between the teams, although they dropped a close one 3-1 in their last meeting on August 28 at Minute Maid Park. Reliever Ryne Stanek was credited with the win after throwing one scoreless inning, and Rafael Montero pitched the ninth to earn his ninth save.
ON THE MOUND
Justin Verlander (17-3, 1.78 ERA) is set to start for Houston. The righty leads the league in ERA. He also shares the AL lead in wins. Verlander threw five no-hit innings in his last start, a 5-0 road win over the Athletics on Friday. He got the win, striking out nine and walking one. Verlander has made one previous start against the Orioles this season, a 3-1 home victory on August 28. He allowed three hits over three scoreless innings, striking out six and walking one. For Baltimore, right-hander Kyle Bradish (3-7, 5.05 ERA) will take the mound. He has made one prior start against the Astros this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over eight innings in a 2-0 road win on August 26. He gave up two hits and walked two, while striking out six in the win. In his last start on Saturday, Bradish took the loss on the road against the Blue Jays. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up five runs (3 ER) on six hits, striking out three and walking one in the 6-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Houston offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, third best in the AL, with a slash line of .247/.321/.424. Four Astros hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Yordan Alvarez (1.027). The left fielder is slashing .302/.405/.622 with 37 home runs, 94 RBIs, and 91 runs over 124 games. Over the last five games, however, Houston has averaged 6.0 runs a game partially thanks to greater slugging (.483). Against right-handed pitchers like Bradish this season, the ‘Stros have a .731 OPS. Alex Bregman is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .909 OPS in 327 at-bats. Baltimore is slashing .235/.304/.387 for the season and averaging 4.1 runs per game. Anthony Santander leads the team with a .772 OPS. The right fielder has 27 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 69 runs scored with a slash line of .248/.326/.446. The O’s have a .702 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .795 OPS over 387 at-bats, Cedric Mullins has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Houston is on a seven-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 49-28 in 2022. The ‘Stros have scored 4.6 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.2 runs. Baltimore has gone 42-32 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. Houston is 8-2 in the last 10 games between the teams at Oriole Park at Camden Yards with an average scoreline of 7.0-2.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Astros lead the AL West by 17 games over the Mariners. Their magic number to clinch the division is zero. The Orioles are fourth in the AL East, 13 games behind the Yankees. They are fourth in the Wild Card race, four games out of a postseason position.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
