Baltimore Orioles vs Houston Astros Picks and Predictions August 22nd 2024

Thursday’s matchup between the Astros and Orioles is set to get started at 7:08 PM ET from Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD. The Orioles are the heavy favorites on the money line, with their odds sitting at -162, while the Astros are at +137. The over/under line is currently 8.5 runs.

Houston comes into the game on a two-game losing streak and is 68-58 overall, while the Orioles are 74-54 and are 2nd in the AL East. Spencer Arrighetti is slated to start for the Astros, while Corbin Burnes goes for the Orioles. FOX will be televising this AL matchup.

Houston is sending Spencer Arrighetti to the mound today as he faces the Orioles on the road. Arrighetti has made 22 starts this season and has a record of 5-11. His ERA is 5.21, along with a WHIP of 1.46. The right-hander’s last outing came against the White Sox, where he took the loss, giving up four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings of work. Before that outing, he had won two straight starts. Opponents are batting .245 off Arrighetti this season, and he has a total of six quality starts.

Yainer Diaz has been on a tear for the Astros of late, going 13/37 in his last nine games with four homers and eight RBIs. For the season, he is batting .304 and leads the team with 71 RBIs. Yordan Alvarez is also one of the league’s top power hitters, as his 25 homers are 12th in the MLB. His 66 RBIs are the 2nd most on the team.

As a team, the Astros are 2nd in the league in batting average and are averaging 4.6 runs per game. They have been even better at home, averaging 4.7 runs per contest. Overall, they are 10th in the league in home runs and have the 8th best OPS in the league.

Corbin Burnes gets the start for the Orioles today and will be looking to bounce back from a rough outing vs. the Red Sox. In that start, he gave up 8 earned runs in 4 innings of work, taking the loss. Before that outing, he had given up at least 4 earned runs in three straight starts. Burnes’ ERA for the season is 3.10, and his record is 12-5. Opponents are batting .211 off Burnes this season. Despite his recent struggles, Burnes has a WHIP of 1.11 and has made 19 quality starts this year.

Not only do the Orioles lead the league in home runs, but they also have the top slugging percentage in the league. Baltimore is also near the top of the league in terms of isolated power. As a team, they are averaging 5 runs per game and are batting a collective .254, which is the 5th best mark in the league.

Gunnar Henderson has been swinging a hot bat of late, going 11/38 in his last 10 games with four homers. For the season, he is batting .287 with 33 home runs and 78 RBIs. Anthony Santander has also been a big power threat for the Orioles, as he is 3rd in the league with 37 homers.

As the Baltimore Orioles prepare to kick off a critical four-game series against the visiting Houston Astros, the team is looking for a much-needed resurgence. Both the Orioles and their starting pitcher, Corbin Burnes, are in desperate need of a strong performance after recent struggles have highlighted the challenges facing the club.

Orioles Struggling to Find Their Rhythm

The Orioles are coming off a disappointing stretch, having lost four of their last six games. Their latest setback was a 4-3 defeat to the New York Mets, a game where Baltimore managed just three hits. The lack of offensive firepower has become a glaring issue for the team, and manager Brandon Hyde didn’t mince words when addressing the need for improvement.

Indeed, Baltimore’s bullpen, which had been a reliable strength for much of the season, is now showing signs of wear. The inconsistency in pitching has only compounded the team’s difficulties, making it imperative for the Orioles to turn things around quickly if they hope to stay in the playoff race.

Corbin Burnes: A Crucial Start

The spotlight will be on Corbin Burnes as he takes the mound in the series opener. Burnes, who has been a linchpin for the Orioles this season, is coming off the worst outing of his career. In his last start against the Boston Red Sox, Burnes allowed eight runs on ten hits over just four innings. The performance was a far cry from his usual dominance, and the Orioles will need him to bounce back in a big way.

Prior to that rough outing, Baltimore had won five consecutive games in which Burnes started. His importance to the team’s success cannot be overstated, and the Orioles have adjusted their rotation to give him an extra day of rest in hopes that he can regain his form.

However, Burnes faces a tough task against the Astros, a team that tagged him with a loss earlier this season. In that outing, Burnes allowed four runs in seven innings, including home runs to Yordan Alvarez and Chas McCormick. Historically, Burnes has struggled against Houston, posting an 0-2 record with a 6.23 ERA in three career appearances.

Astros Seek to Maintain Road Dominance

The Houston Astros enter this series looking to solidify their position as one of the top teams in the American League. Despite losing two of their last three games, the Astros have won 11 of their last 14 overall. Their most recent loss, a 4-1 defeat to the Boston Red Sox, was their first by more than one run since early August, underscoring their overall consistency.

Houston’s road record has been particularly impressive. The Astros have won their last eight road games, a streak that includes victories against strong teams like the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays. This road dominance will be something they look to continue as they take on the Orioles.

On the mound for Houston in the series opener will be rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti. Arrighetti, who has struggled with consistency this season, carries a 5-11 record with a 5.20 ERA into the game. Despite these numbers, he has shown flashes of potential, particularly in his last five starts, where he posted a 4.11 ERA. However, run support has been an issue, with the Astros scoring just 11 runs across those five starts.

Key Players to Watch

• Corbin Burnes: After a disastrous last outing, Burnes is in dire need of a rebound performance. The Orioles’ chances in this series heavily depend on his ability to return to form.
• Spencer Arrighetti: The Astros’ rookie has had a tough season but will look to capitalize on Baltimore’s recent struggles. His performance will be crucial in setting the tone for the series.
• Alex Bregman: Bregman, who hit a home run in Houston’s last game, is dealing with a minor elbow issue but is expected to play a key role as the Astros seek to extend their road winning streak.

Series Outlook

This series carries significant implications for both teams as they navigate the final stretch of the season. For the Orioles, it’s an opportunity to regain momentum and reestablish themselves as playoff contenders. For the Astros, it’s a chance to continue their dominance on the road and inch closer to securing their postseason spot.

Both teams have areas of concern—Baltimore with its inconsistent pitching and lackluster offense, and Houston with minor injuries and occasional offensive struggles. However, with strong performances from their starting pitchers and key contributions from star players, this series could very well serve as a turning point for the winner.

The Orioles will need to dig deep to overcome their recent woes, while the Astros will aim to keep their winning formula intact. As these two teams clash, expect a highly competitive series that could have lasting impacts on the postseason landscape.

There should be no shortage of offense in today’s Astros and Orioles matchup, and not only are we leaning towards the Astros picking up the win, but we like the over as well. The Astros are our 2nd highest projected team in terms of hits, and Corbin Burnes is our 5th lowest projected starting pitcher in terms of strikeouts.