Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles – At Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Houston Astros play against the Baltimore Orioles in a mid-August game that promises to be thrilling. This game will not only make us see two impressive teams with contrasting seasons but also put on show a battle between pitchers that can dictate how this match may go. The thing is, it draws the attention of bettors across the world, including fans from Canada who visit different Canadian sports betting platforms to place their bets on these giants of MLB.

Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles

Date & Time: Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 7:08 PM ET

Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards

TV: FOX

Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles Betting Odds

TeamMoneylineSpreadTotal
AstrosTBDTBDTBD
OriolesTBDTBDTBD

Houston Astros Analysis

The Astros have been a team with solid offensive power. Their lineup’s depth has been maintained, and they have not struggled to maintain their competitive edge against other teams. Therefore, this team remains a serious contender in the race for supremacy.

The defense of the Houston Astros is somewhat consistent, but not without challenges that it goes through. Consequently, some games were won while others were lost due to a lack of consistency by the pitching staff, whose effort could not always deliver the expected results. Defensive strategy will also need to be tightened up against strong hitting teams like the Baltimore Orioles, especially as visitors where they are 50-50 straight up record versus them.

Spencer Arrighetti, today’s starting pitcher, has had a difficult year with a 5-11 win-loss record plus an ERA of 5.2. This game will likely hinge on his inability to prevent hits and home runs, which was evident from surrendering 109 hits and 17 homers in only 110.2 innings pitched this season alone. As such, he will be expected to pitch well in order for the Houston Astros to get past the Baltimore Orioles, who have been good at striking out batters (134 Ks) all year long.

Baltimore Orioles Analysis

Entering with a dangerous offense, the Orioles’ lineup is packed with an overwhelming 192 long balls leading in the league, and a .256 batting average. This sturdy approach has enabled them to score 630 runs which are the most in their division thanks to a strong slugging percentage of .451. When they face Astros’ pitchers, this power-hitting style will be very important.

The Orioles pitching staff on their part has a slightly higher ERA (3.94) than that of the Astros but has better WHIPs at 1.24. They have been able to hold down runs from the mound and then they do enough in fielding to win close games; in fact, at home, they’ve had more wins than losses.

During this game, Corbin Burnes enters with impressive season records such as a 12-5 win-loss, an awesome 3.1 ERA, and an excellent WHIP of 1.11. His control along with his efficiency can be highlighted by his ratio of 144 strikeouts vis-à-vis only 38 walks within his innings pitched totaling around 153.2 innings pitched last year alone. Bournes will prove crucial when dealing with Astro hitters since he could lead Baltimore pitchers’ dominance on the mount.

Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles Against the Spread

The Astros have shown resilience, going 4-1 in their last 5 games, yet their spread record in road games indicates inconsistency. Meanwhile, the Orioles have maintained a more consistent performance both on the road and against the spread, showcasing their capability to cover and possibly exceed expectations in closely contested matchups.

The Orioles, similarly, present a stable record in their last five outings, both overall and against the spread. Their stronger home game performance could give them the edge in this series, making them a likely favorite for spread bettors.

Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles Free Pick

Based on odds, trends, team stats, and starting pitchers, here are the picks:

Moneyline: Baltimore Orioles. With Burnes on the mound and their dominant home slugging, the Orioles are poised to take advantage of the Astros’ pitching vulnerabilities.

Spread: Baltimore Orioles. Given their home record and the Astros’ struggles on the road, betting on the Orioles to cover the spread seems prudent.

Total: Over. Both teams have powerful offenses capable of high-scoring games, making the Over an attractive option, especially at Camden Yards.

Predicted Score: Baltimore Orioles 6, Houston Astros 4

In conclusion, considering the starting pitchers, recent performances, and offensive firepower, the Orioles on the Moneyline might be the most reliable MLB betting pick for this matchup. As both teams battle for playoff positioning, this game promises to be a highlight of Thursday’s MLB action.