HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 2: Manager Joe Espada #16 of the Houston Astros looks on prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park on August 2, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)
Orioles meet the Astros with 2-1 series lead.
Houston Astros (69-60, first in the AL West) vs. Baltimore Orioles (76-55, second in the AL East)
Baltimore; Sunday, 7:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Astros: Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 4.37 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 161 strikeouts); Orioles: Dean Kremer (6-9, 4.30 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 91 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -110, Orioles -109; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Baltimore Orioles play the Houston Astros with a 2-1 series lead.
Baltimore is 76-55 overall and 39-29 in home games. The Orioles are first in the majors with 198 total home runs, averaging 1.5 per game.
Houston has a 69-60 record overall and a 34-31 record on the road. Astros pitchers have a collective 3.81 ERA, which ranks fourth in the AL.
Sunday’s game is the seventh time these teams meet this season. The Astros are up 4-2 in the season series.
TOP PERFORMERS: Anthony Santander is second on the Orioles with 60 extra base hits (20 doubles, two triples and 38 home runs). Gunnar Henderson is 9-for-38 with a double, three home runs and seven RBI over the past 10 games.
Yordan Alvarez has 29 doubles, two triples and 25 home runs for the Astros. Alex Bregman is 14-for-43 with three doubles and five home runs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Orioles: 5-5, .220 batting average, 4.49 ERA, outscored by one run
Astros: 5-5, .244 batting average, 2.73 ERA, outscored opponents by seven runs
INJURIES: Orioles: Cedric Mullins: day-to-day (quadricep), Ryan Mountcastle: day-to-day (wrist), Zach Eflin: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Grayson Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (lat), Jacob Webb: 15-Day IL (elbow), Heston Kjerstad: 10-Day IL (concussion), Jordan Westburg: 10-Day IL (hand), Jorge Mateo: 60-Day IL (elbow), Danny Coulombe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Bradish: 60-Day IL (ucl sprain), Tyler Wells: 60-Day IL (elbow), John Means: 60-Day IL (elbow), Felix Bautista: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Astros: Yordan Alvarez: day-to-day (neck), J.P. France: 60-Day IL (undisclosed), Ryan Pressly: 15-Day IL (back), Kyle Tucker: 60-Day IL (shin), Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (forearm), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman: 60-Day IL (elbow)
