Baltimore Orioles vs Houston Astros Picks and Predictions August 25th 2024

At 7:10 PM ET, the Astros and Orioles will square off in an AL matchup. This one is being played at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, and the Orioles are favored on the money line (-107). The Astros have lost two straight and they are 1st in the AL West with a record of 69-60. Baltimore is 2nd in the AL East with a record of 76-55.

Yusei Kikuchi will start for the Astros, while the Orioles are sending Dean Kremer to the mound. Sunday’s forecast in Baltimore is 87 degrees with a clear sky. ESPN will be televising this game.

Yusei Kikuchi gets the start for the Astros today and comes in with a record of 6-9 and an ERA of 4.37. So far this season, he has made 26 starts, and opponents are batting .256 off the left-hander. Kikuchi has turned in eight quality starts and is averaging 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last outing, he finished with a no-decision, giving up one earned run in 5 2/3 innings of work. Before that, he had won two straight starts. So, he is unbeaten in his last three trips to the mound.

Yordan Alvarez has been a big power threat for the Astros this season, as his 25 home runs lead the team and is 11th in the league. He is also 2nd on the team with 67 RBIs. Houston also has two other players who have hit over 20 home runs in Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve. Altuve is batting .299 for the season, while Bregman comes in at .258.

Yainer Diaz has been swinging a hot bat of late, going 9/24 in his last six games, with two homers. This has helped him move into the top spot in terms of RBIs for the Astros. Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena have also hit two homers in their last five games, with Altuve going 5/20 and Pena going 5/19 over that stretch.

Dean Kremer gets the start for the Orioles today and will be looking to build off his last outing, where he picked up the win. Against the Mets on August 20th, he went six innings, giving up just one earned run. Looking back over his last three outings, Kremer has finished with a no-decision, win, and win. Kremer’s overall record is 6-9, and he has an ERA of 4.30. Out of his 18 starts, he has turned in six quality starts and is averaging 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings. This season, he has allowed a total of 15 home runs.

As a team, the Orioles are the top home run hitting team in the league and are also the league’s top slugging team. They are also one of the league’s best offensive teams in terms of runs scored, averaging 5 runs per game. Not only are they the top home run hitting team in the league, but they also have the best isolated power numbers in the league.

Anthony Santander is the Orioles top power threat, with 38 homers this season, which is 3rd in the league. However, he has hit just .236 for the season and has gone just 3/20 in his last five games. Gunnar Henderson comes into the game with a team-best batting average of .284 and is 2nd on the team with 33 homers.

The Baltimore Orioles, powered by timely hitting and resilient pitching, are gearing up to secure a series victory over the Houston Astros in the finale of their four-game set on Sunday night in Baltimore. After a rough start with a shutout loss in the series opener, the Orioles have bounced back with two dramatic wins, proving they can deliver when it matters most.

Resilient Orioles Find Their Stride

The Orioles’ offense struggled to get going at first, but they’ve turned things around with key hits at crucial moments. After taking a tough 6-0 loss in the first game, Baltimore rallied to win the next two, showing off their resilience and knack for performing under pressure.

These recent victories have been all about late-game heroics. Anthony Santander lit up Friday night with a grand slam in the eighth inning, and rookie Jackson Holliday stepped up on Saturday with a clutch pinch-hit, three-run double in the sixth inning, sealing a 3-2 victory.

Key Hits in Big Moments

These clutch performances could be a turning point for the Orioles, who have been searching for more consistent offense. Manager Brandon Hyde highlighted how crucial it is to slow the game down in high-pressure situations to improve their success in these moments.

Holliday, who’s ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 prospect, has faced the challenges of his rookie season with determination. Even with limited chances off the bench, he’s made the most of his opportunities, delivering when it counts.

“I had a few experiences in the minor leagues this year,” Holliday shared. “We actually practiced it, so I guess it paid off.”

Holliday knows that big moments will come with time and experience, but he’s focused on keeping his approach steady and learning from every opportunity.

Orioles Seek Series Victory

The Orioles have had an up-and-down stretch, splitting their last nine games with a 4-5 record. But their recent rallies have kept them in the fight. As they gear up for a six-game road trip, Baltimore is aiming to lock down just their second series win of the month with a victory on Sunday.

Astros Face Challenges Despite Recent Success

The Astros have been on a solid run, winning 12 of their last 17 games, but they’ve hit a rough patch recently, dropping four of their last five. Houston is also dealing with some injury concerns that could impact their lineup for the series finale.

Yordan Alvarez, who’s blasted 25 home runs this season, has missed the last two games due to neck stiffness. Manager Joe Espada mentioned that Alvarez is still feeling discomfort, and his status for Sunday’s game is up in the air.

The Astros are also keeping an eye on Alex Bregman, who’s been dealing with an elbow issue. Bregman has struggled in the series, going just 2-for-13 without an extra-base hit, and is listed as day-to-day. His presence in the lineup is crucial as Houston looks to get back on track.

Pitching Matchup: Kremer vs. Kikuchi

The Orioles will send right-hander Dean Kremer (6-9, 4.30 ERA) to the mound for the finale. Kremer has been in great form lately, winning his last two starts while allowing just one run over six innings against both the Washington Nationals and New York Mets. He’s also had success against the Astros, with a 3-0 record and a 1.14 ERA in three career starts, including a four-hit shutout last September.

The Astros will counter with left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 4.37 ERA), who’s been solid since joining Houston from the Toronto Blue Jays. Kikuchi is 2-0 in four starts for the Astros, with the team winning all four games. He’s faced the Orioles twice this season while with Toronto, going 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA.

Kikuchi’s career stats against Baltimore include a 5-5 record and a 4.80 ERA in 14 appearances (11 starts), with his six wins against the Tampa Bay Rays being his only higher total.

The Road Ahead for the Orioles and Astros

As the Orioles and Astros prepare for Sunday’s series finale, both teams have a lot on the line. Baltimore is looking to ride the momentum of their recent clutch performances to secure a series win and build confidence heading into their road trip. Meanwhile, Houston is aiming to overcome their injury challenges and regain their winning form. With Kremer and Kikuchi set to duel on the mound, Sunday night’s game is shaping up to be an intense and pivotal battle for both teams.

For an over/under pick, our lean would be on the over, as this is projected to be the 2nd highest-scoring game of the day. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have our lean on the Orioles to pick up the win. Baltimore’s offense is our highest projected in the league today in terms of hits, and Dean Kremer has the 3rd best innings pitched projection among today’s starters.