The Baltimore Orioles (56–66, 26–36 away) look to close out their road series against the Houston Astros (68–54, 37–26 home) on Sunday afternoon at Daikin Park. First pitch is set for 2:10 PM ET, as Houston tries to rebound after a lopsided 7–0 shutout loss to Baltimore on Friday.
The Astros still hold firm in the AL Wild Card race, but Baltimore is playing spoiler, with a recent stretch of solid pitching and timely hitting. With both teams splitting momentum over the past week, Sunday’s matchup should be a compelling rubber game.
Recent Team Form
Baltimore Orioles (Last 5):
- W 7–0 @ HOU
- W 5–3 vs SEA
- W 4–3 vs SEA
- L 1–0 vs SEA
- L 3–2 vs ATH
Baltimore has taken three of its last four games, leaning on strong outings from its rotation and bullpen. The shutout in Game 1 against Houston showed just how effective their staff can be when Kremer and the relievers are sharp.
Houston Astros (Last 5):
- L 7–0 vs BAL
- W 4–1 vs BOS
- L 14–1 vs BOS
- W 7–6 vs BOS
- W 7–1 @ NYY
The Astros have alternated between dominant wins and surprising blowouts, a sign of inconsistency. Despite that, their offense — anchored by Jose Altuve and Jeremy Peña — remains dangerous. Houston will look to get back on track at home with Cristian Javier on the mound.
Probable Pitchers
| Team | Starter | W-L | ERA | WHIP | IP | H | K | BB | HR | Blurb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAL | Dean Kremer (RHP) | 8–9 | 4.17 | 1.25 | 140.1 | 139 | 116 | 36 | 18 | Kremer has been a steady middle-rotation arm, mixing strikeouts with decent control. He’s given the Orioles quality innings but can be vulnerable to home runs. |
| HOU | Cristian Javier (RHP) | 1–0 | 3.60 | 1.00 | 5.0 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | Recently returning from injury, Javier is still ramping up. He has swing-and-miss stuff but will be tested against an Orioles lineup that has been scrappy of late. |
Key Players to Watch
Baltimore Orioles
- Gunnar Henderson (.283 AVG, 14 HR, 53 RBI) — Baltimore’s cornerstone bat continues to deliver consistent production.
- Adley Rutschman (not listed but critical) — his ability to manage the pitching staff and spark offense behind the plate is vital.
- Ryan Mountcastle — adds power that can shift momentum quickly.
Houston Astros
- Jose Altuve (.281 AVG, 21 HR, 63 RBI) — the engine of Houston’s lineup and a constant spark plug.
- Jeremy Peña (.318 AVG) — quietly having one of the best seasons of his career, hitting for both average and power.
- Cristian Javier — Houston’s wild card; if he can limit walks, he gives the Astros a strong chance.
Matchup Breakdown
Baltimore’s offense has been streaky, but when Henderson and Rutschman are locked in, they can hang runs on anyone. The key for the Orioles will be whether Kremer can keep Houston’s right-handed heavy lineup quiet.
The Astros statistically hold the advantage: higher team batting average (.256 vs .240), stronger pitching staff ERA (3.78 vs 4.75), and a better home record (37–26). Still, Baltimore showed Friday that they can quiet Houston bats, and Kremer has enough swing-and-miss in his arsenal to compete.
This matchup likely hinges on Javier’s command. If he can limit damage in his first few innings back, Houston should regain footing. If not, Baltimore could smell blood early.
Best Bets
- Astros ML (-145) — Houston should bounce back at home, especially against a homer-prone Kremer.
- Over 8.5 (EVEN) — both lineups have shown they can erupt; Daikin Park plays fair for hitters.
- Altuve to Record a Hit — a consistent bat in a must-win spot, he’s reliable in player props.
Prediction
Baltimore’s recent form makes this more competitive than the standings suggest, but Houston’s depth and offensive upside should tilt things back their way. Expect the Astros to generate early runs off Kremer and hold steady with bullpen support behind Javier.
Final Score: Astros 6, Orioles 3
