MLB Odds: Astros vs Orioles Series Picks, Predictions 8/22
- In most games, one team will have a pitching advantage, which could lean the MLB odds in their favor.
- There is a chance these teams meet in the playoffs, making this series interesting for future betting.
- A four-game series between teams at the top of their American League divisions is always enticing for betting lines.
The end of the MLB season is quickly approaching, with September just a week away. That makes matchups between possible playoff teams more intense. This week, MLB news will be headlined by a four-game series between two division contenders when the Houston Astros face the Baltimore Orioles.
The Orioles are not favored to win the American League East. They are in a divisional race with the New York Yankees, with their odds set at -105. However, the Astros have started to pull away in the AL West and have odds at -900 to win the division.
What makes this series so much more exciting is that there is a good chance these teams match up in the playoffs. The Astros have made it to at least the ALCS in the last seven seasons, while the Orioles have become one of the best teams in the league.
Astros vs Orioles Game Information
- Game: Astros (68-58 1st AL West) vs. Orioles (74-54 2nd AL East)
- Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
- Day/Time: Thursday, Aug. 22 (7:15 p.m. ET), Friday, Aug. 23 (7:05 p.m. ET), Saturday, Aug. 24 (4:05 p.m. ET), Sunday, Aug. 25 (7:00 p.m. ET)
- Astros vs Orioles Live Stream: MLB.tv
Astros vs Orioles Odds and Run Line
Astros vs Orioles Series Betting Predictions
Game 1: Orioles Own Clear Pitching Advantage
This is a series the Orioles will undoubtedly need their ace on the mound, which will happen in the opening game. Corbin Burnes has been the top starter for the Orioles with a 3.10 ERA and a 12-5 record. However, he has struggled in August with a 9.00 ERA through three starts. His last outing was by far the worst, allowing eight runs in four innings, which could shift MLB lines.
Spencer Arrighetti will be on the mound for the Astros and he is far from a top arm in the rotation. He has a 5.20 ERA on the season with a 5-11 record. While his first two starts in August were excellent, allowing three runs in 13 innings with 25 strikeouts, his last start was a dip back to reality. He allowed four runs in 5.2 innings and had five strikeouts.
Gunnar Henderson’s 4th HR in his last 5 games 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nGlFrgVHaG
— MLB (@MLB) August 18, 2024
This will be an especially tough matchup for Arrighetti, facing an Orioles lineup averaging the league’s third-most runs per game (5.04). The Orioles have three players with 70 or more runs batted in, Anthony Santander, Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman.
Game 2: Astros With Edge on Mound
In the second game of the series, given the two pitchers on the mound, that could lean MLB odds toward the Astros. The Astros will have Hunter Brown on the mound. He has been solid in 2024 with a 3.82 ERA and an 11-7 record. During August, Brown has been even better, with a 1.96 ERA through three starts, allowing four runs in 18.1 innings and striking out 19 batters.
The #Astros might have the hottest 1-2 punch in baseball. Since June 1st:
Framber Valdez
10-2 | 2.60 ERA | 90.0 IP | 93 KHunter Brown
10-2 | 2.33 ERA | 85.0 IP | 92 K#Relentless pic.twitter.com/UsHfslL5tm— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) August 19, 2024
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Cade Povich will get the start for the Orioles and he hasn’t fully earned a spot in the rotation. He has a 5.77 ERA and a 1-6 record over nine starts this season. However, Povich did have a solid outing in his last appearance, going 6.1 innings with two allowed runs. While the Astros lineup has not been at the level many would have expected, it should still be good enough to get some runs off of Povich.
Game 3: Expect Pitching Duel
This third game of the series has the best chance of hitting the under in total runs, with two outstanding pitchers taking the mound. Houston’s Framber Valdez has been a dominant pitcher all season with a 13-5 record and 3.20 ERA, but in August, he has been even better. He has pitched 21.1 innings through three starts, allowing three runs and seven hits for a 1.27 ERA, plus 23 strikeouts. That gives the Astros a clear advantage in MLB predictions.
Albert Suarez continues to be an awesome story pic.twitter.com/LmUhBU8Zyv
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 18, 2024
However, Orioles starter Albert Suarez is also pitching well in August. In his last three starts, Suarez has pitched 17.2 shutout innings with 17 strikeouts and is holding opponents to a .200 batting average. That is three dominant performances, and he will look to put another one together against the Astros.
Game 4: Astros Could Leave With Series Split
Going into this fourth and final game, the Astros have a good chance of coming out of this series with a split for MLB betting. A big reason for that is their starter in this game. The Astros acquired Yusei Kikuchi at the trade deadline and he has been solid. His ERA on the season is 4.37, but he has brought that number down in his four starts for the Astros. Kikuchi has a 2.42 ERA since joining the Astros, allowing eight runs (six earned_ in 22.1 innings and adding 31 strikeouts. Plus, the Astros have won every game he has started for them.
Yusei Kikuchi in four starts with the Astros:
2.42 ERA | 22.1 IP | 16 H | 7 BB | 31 K
The Astros are 4-0 in his four starts! #Relentless pic.twitter.com/6HwprrghrM
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) August 20, 2024
On the other hand, the Orioles have Trevor Rogers on the mound. The Orioles traded for him at the deadline, and so far, Rogers has yet to live up to expectations. Through four starts on the Orioles, he has a 7.11 ERA, allowing 16 runs in 19 innings. That is not what the Orioles have expected out of him, which could be concerning.
Astros vs Orioles Series Prediction: 2-2 Split
It feels like a cop-out answer for MLB predictions that this series will be a split, but it makes the most sense. It is between two very good teams that are evenly matched. The Astros have the pitching advantage in the second and final games, but the Orioles should take the other two.
Bet on Orioles at -148 to win this Series Game
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Question Of The Day
Will these teams make the playoffs?
The Astros and Orioles are in the race for their division, giving them a clear path to the playoffs. Even if they don’t win their divisions, they should make the playoffs through the Wild Card.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.