MLB Game Preview: Baltimore Orioles (55-66) vs. Houston Astros (68-53)

Venue: Daikin Park (Minute Maid Park), Houston, TX
First Pitch: 8:10 PM ET
Broadcast: MASN2 (Baltimore), SCHN (Houston), MLB Network
Radio: WBAL 1090 AM (Baltimore), KBME 790 AM (Houston)

Match Context

The Astros, leading the AL West by 1.5 games, open a three-game home series against the struggling Orioles, who sit last in the AL East. Houston is 37–25 at home and coming off a series win over Boston. Baltimore arrives after back-to-back wins over Seattle, but has won just one series in August.

This is the first of seven meetings between these teams over the next 10 days—a stretch that could define Houston’s playoff positioning.

Starting Pitchers

Houston Astros – Framber Valdez (11–5, 2.97 ERA, 1.19 WHIP)

• 132 K in 145.2 IP
• 3.97 FIP in August despite 10 ER in last 11.2 IP
• Career vs. Orioles: 4.19 ERA, .270 BAA in 6 games
• Contract year; expected to command major interest in free agency

Baltimore Orioles – Brandon Young (0–6, 6.70 ERA, 1.58 WHIP)

• Rookie RHP with 10 starts
• Last outing: 3 IP, 6 ER vs. Athletics
• Likely nearing end of rotation stint with Bradish and Wells returning soon

Key Hitters to Watch

Houston Astros

• José Altuve – .283 AVG, 21 HR, 63 RBI
• Jeremy Peña – .318 AVG, 2 HR in last 5 games
• Yainer Diaz – .254 AVG, 17 HR, 2-game hit streak

Baltimore Orioles

• Gunnar Henderson – .283 AVG, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 7-game hit streak
• Jackson Holliday – 14 HR, .265 AVG last 10 games
• Adley Rutschman – .232 AVG, 9 HR, 16 doubles

Team Trends & Stats

Team	Record	Last 10	Batting Avg	Team ERA	Home/Road
Astros	68–53	6–4	.249	4.50	37–25 home
Orioles	55–66	4–6	.228	4.80	25–36 road

• Astros are 6–4 ATS in last 10 games; Over has hit in 7 of those
• Orioles are 3–7 as underdogs in last 10; 2–7–1 to the Under
• Houston ranks 12th in wRC+, 13th in slugging, 18th in runs scored

Valdez has the edge over Young, and Houston’s bullpen—despite losing Josh Hader to injury—still has elite arms like Bryan Abreu and Bennett Sousa. Expect a tight, low-scoring game with Houston pulling away late.