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Contents
- After No-Hitter, Valdez Starts for Houston in Opener
- Astros vs Orioles Series Starting Pitchers
- Astros: Time for Sequel
- Orioles: Hit Parade Continues
- Astros vs Orioles Series Head-to-Head
- Astros vs Orioles Series Information
- Astros vs Orioles Series Betting Lines
- Astros vs Orioles Series Picks and Prediction
Astros vs Orioles: Defending Champions Best Bet to Take Series
After No-Hitter, Valdez Starts for Houston in Opener
It doesn’t get much better than this. The defending World Series champion Houston Astros hit the road to face the Baltimore Orioles, the team with the best record in the American League. When it comes to MLB predictions, the Astros are favored in Tuesday’s series opener
According to MLB odds, the Astros (+350) are tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for the best odds to win the AL pennant with the Orioles coming in fourth at +450 in the championship odds.
Two of the top contenders in the AL Cy Young Award race are in this game, with Framber Valdez second at +450 and Baltimore closer Felix Bautista undervalued at +4000.
Baltimore is 35-21 at home while the Astros are 33-24 on the road. Something to consider in MLB live betting.
In MLB news, Astros’ relief pitcher Ryan Pressly is questionable for the series opener, while Baltimore outfielder Austin Hays is also questionable after missing the last two games.
When looking at MLB picks, Houston (+650) has the third-best odds to win the World Series with the Orioles priced at +1100.
Astros vs Orioles Series Starting Pitchers
- Tuesday: Framber Valdez (9-7, 3.07 ERA) vs Grayson Rodriguez (2-3, 6.09)
- Wednesday: Cristian Javier (7-2, 4.39) vs Jack Flaherty (8-6, 4.28)
- Thursday: Hunter Brown (8-7, 4.07) vs Dean Kremer (10-4, 4.61)
Astros: Time for Sequel
The last time an Astros pitcher threw a solo no-hitter was in 2019 when Justin Verlander shut down the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0. In his next start, Verlander only allowed four hits and one run with seven strikeouts in seven innings.
Cristian Javier, slated to pitch Game 2, was part of combined no-hitters against the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies in 2022. The latter came in his final start of the season as he helped Houston win the World Series.
After holding the Yankees hitless in seven innings with 13 strikeouts and one walk, he gave up a home run to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning. That was the only hit and run allowed by Javier, with 14 strikeouts in seven innings in the 8-1 win.
Now it is time for Valdez to show what he has in store in the first start since his no-hitter.
The MLB betting lines total has gone under in four of Houston’s last six games.
Orioles: Hit Parade Continues
The pressure of leading the AL East, the only division that has all five teams with winning records, does not seem to be getting to the Orioles.
Baltimore’s .327 batting average in August is the best in the majors.
Despite playing one less game than some teams, Baltimore is third among AL teams with 39 runs scored in six games in August. This is being done without veteran outfielder Cedric Mullins.
Ryan Mountcastle leads the way with a .545 batting average. Rookie Gunnar Henderson and veteran outfielder Anthony Santander each have a pair of home runs, while three of catcher James McCann’s five hits were doubles.
Baltimore has won six of its last seven home games. Keep that in mind when looking at the Las Vegas MLB odds.
Astros vs Orioles Series Head-to-Head
The road team has won 10 of their last 13 meetings. Houston has won the last two on the road, finishing over the MLB betting lines total. Baltimore took seven of the previous eight matchups.
Hays hit .348 against the Astros a season ago with Santander having three home runs. For Houston, Yordan Alvarez hit .333 against the Orioles.
Astros vs Orioles Series Information
- Game: Astros (64-49, second in AL West) vs Orioles (70-42,first in AL East)
- Day/Time: Tuesday-Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. ET; Thursday, 12:35 p.m. ET
- Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
- Astros vs Orioles Live Stream: MLB.tv
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Astros vs Orioles Series Betting Lines
The odds in this chart are posted on the time of publication of the article. They are subject to change without previous notice.
Astros vs Orioles Series Picks and Prediction
The starting pitchers are 44-29 this season, but only Valdez has an ERA under 4.00 and both teams are hitting the ball very well in August so this could be a chance for the offenses to take over.
The second game of the series is especially interesting with recent acquisition Jack Flaherty set to make his second start for the Orioles and Javier going for Astros. Houston has lost the last three games started by Javier after winning the previous four.
The Orioles are 16-7 and the Astros 14-8 since the All-Star Game, losing a combined three games so far in August so this could be a series to remember.
Houston and Baltimore are a combined 80-47 when listed as the favorite this season. Houston has covered in 33 of the first 57 road games, with the Orioles just 28-28 against the spread at home.
Both teams are priced at -115 to win this series, which is a very hard one to predict. The fact that Valdez and Javier have pitched in so many big games during their time with the Astros might be the difference.
