Orioles vs. Astros Pick
Will the Houston Astros complete a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles when the two meet up once again today at 2:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Astros are the favorite at home today, as they are getting odds of -205 to win. The Orioles are listed with odds of +185 to prevail, while the over/under total for the game is listed at 8.5 runs.
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The pitching matchup today has Lance McCullers Jr. (5-1, 2.43 ERA) on the mound for Houston to face Alec Asher (1-2, 2.17) of the Orioles. McCullers is on a great run, as he hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last four starts, spanning 24 innings. He has 65 strikeouts over 59.1 innings of work and a WHIP of 1.04. Asher is making just his third start, but he hasn’t allowed an earned run over his last 7.2 innings of relief work. He has allowed just 7 runs over 29 innings with 22 strikeouts and seven walks. His WHIP is 1.07.
Houston has won the first two games in this series, 2-0 and 5-2. The Astros have now won five straight meetings with the Orioles. Baltimore is now 25-22 on the season and 10-15 on the road while Houston is 34-16 overall and 19-10 at home.
Dallas Keuchel gave Houston just six innings on Saturday, but it was enough, as he had eight strikeouts and allowed just one run. The bullpen then pitched three innings of 1-run ball. Wade Miley only went five innings for the Orioles, giving up four earned runs and eight hits. George Springer had two hits and two RBI, including his 10th home run, in the win. Jose Altuve added three hits and scored twice.
Most of the writing on the wall says the Astros will win again, but I think the Orioles are worth considering today. McCullers is on a nice run, but that run has to end at some point. Even if he continues his scoreless streak, he may only last six innings. Houston has had to use a lot of bullpen arms in this series. Asher has been solid on the mound. Though he doesn’t have many starts, I think he can do well against this Houston team. Baltimore will get out of its hitting funk soon, perhaps today. With the odds so high for Houston, I think taking a chance on Baltimore is worth it.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: BALTIMORE ORIOLES +185