The Baltimore Orioles will welcome the Houston Astros to Oriole Park in Game 1 of their doubleheader. This AL matchup will begin at 4:05 p.m. ET and fans looking to watch it can tune in to Mid-Atlantic Sports Network.
Houston Astros at Baltimore Orioles Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Houston (-260) as the favorite over Baltimore (+230). Bettors are able to wager on the game’s total with odds posted at -120 for over 8 runs and even money (+100) for under 8. You can also bet on the game’s runline with the most recent odds standing at -165 for the Astros -1.5 runs and +145 for the Orioles +1.5 runs.
The Orioles are 46-113 straight up (SU) and 65-93 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 52.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 40.8 units (ATS). Baltimore has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. On the other hand, the Astros are 101-58 SU and have gone 82-76 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 3.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.8 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Baltimore games have an over/under record of 72-81-5 in 2018. Houston has also been a decent under bet with a total record of 70-80-8.
The right-handed Justin Verlander is projected to start for the visiting Astros. Verlander is 16-9 with a 2.60 ERA and 280 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with nine strikeouts and a 4.76 ERA against Baltimore this year.
The Orioles are putting the ball in the hands of righty Dylan Bundy (8-16, 5.49 ERA), who’s got 177 strikeouts and 53 walks to his name, as well as a 1.42 WHIP. Bundy is 0-0 with eight strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA in one start against Houston this year.
Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.3 runs per game and its starters own a 3.19 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 10.35 K/9. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.98, along with a WHIP of 1.12.
The Astros offense has slashed .256/.332/.426 on its way to 5.0 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Houston’s offensive production has been sparked by third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve, who collectively have belted 44 home runs. Bregman is slashing .289/.395/.537 with 31 home runs, 103 RBIs and 104 runs scored, while Altuve has a .314 average with 13 homers, 61 RBIs, 84 runs and 17 stolen bases.
In the home-team dugout, Baltimore’s pitchers have given up 5.6 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have an ERA of 5.53, a WHIP of 1.50 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.2. The bullpen has a 4.82 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 8.1 K/9.
Baltimore’s offense has put up 3.9 runs per contest, including 3.8 per game over its last 10 games and 4.4 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .251/.316/.433 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
Outfielders Adam Jones and Trey Mancini have led the Orioles’ offense this year. Jones is hitting .281/.313/.420 with 15 home runs, 63 RBIs and 54 runs scored, and Mancini’s line is .242/.300/.419 with 24 homers, 57 RBIs and 68 runs.
The Astros have gained 3.7 units and are 53-45 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 43 of those games, compared to 50 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Orioles have lost 49.5 units and are 40-65 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 47 of those games, compared to 54 that’ve gone under.
Houston Astros at Baltimore Orioles Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has cashed in three of Houston’s last seven outings.
- The Astros have won six of their last seven games SU.
- Houston has recorded 20.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 19.6 over its last five.
- Each team has hit 10 home runs over its last 10 games.
