Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
Where to watch: AT&T SportsNet-Southwest, MASN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Astros -145, Orioles +125
FanDuel: Astros -154, Orioles +130
BetMGM: Astros -154, Orioles +125
Caesars: Astros -155, Orioles +130
Season record
Astros: 99-52
Orioles: 78-71
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Astros - Orioles preview and analysis
With 13 games remaining, the Baltimore Orioles have life. It’s absurd to think the Orioles can still make the playoffs. It would take a Herculean effort for Baltimore to make the most absurd of leaps to make the playoffs, sitting four games back of the Seattle Mariners for the final wild card spot, and even 4.5 back of the Tampa Bay Rays. There’s still life, but the young O’s are running out of time.
But Baltimore got off to a great start with its backs against the wall with a 2-0 win over the Houston Astros on Thursday to take the first game of the series, which continues in Baltimore on Friday fresh off an impressive win over Justin Verlander.
It was a night for Trey Mancini’s return to Baltimore after being an original hero from that group. But it was a night that belonged to Baltimore. All it took was two runs in the second inning, a two-run single from Rougned Odor. Kyle Bradish nearly went the distance at 8.2 innings and striking out 10 to defeat the best team in the American League.
Bradish took a perfect game into the sixth but still stayed in to deliver one hell of a performance.
"I knew if a runner gets on, I was going to come out. It's a two-run ballgame, and Bautista was fresh, and we've got to win these games," Bradish said. "I wasn't too happy that I didn't finish it, but I completely understand."
"Just feeling good," he said. "Routine was good today, arm felt really good. Pregame bullpen, really good. Everything was working."
The Orioles’ season has been nothing but spectacular. That franchise has been longing for something to cheer for over the course of 10 years. Ever since the Manny Machado era came to an end, they haven’t had much to get excited about. They’ve gone straight to the youth movement and it has been an incredible moment. If they can get some more wins and inch closer to the wild card race.
But it’s almost a shame that the Orioles are fighting for their lives, knock off Verlander and the Astros in a 2-0 win and still have to find themselves climbing up the proverbial tree in order to keep their race alive. Verlander went only six innings, but he’s looking to make a late push for the AL Cy Young case despite dealing with a calf injury throughout August.
“He has a lot at stake,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “He’s trying to win 20 [games]. Trying to win the ERA title. He’s in a position to win the Cy. We’re pulling for him. When you’re in that position, you want to go take it.”
Perhaps it was the emotional moment of Mancini coming back and going 0 for 3, but there’s no reason why the Astros shouldn’t bounce back in this one.
“When I got traded, I put out in my statement that my relationship with the city transcends baseball and it always will,” Mancini said.
Prediction
Jose Urquidy takes the mound as a 13-game winner on Friday, facing Dean Kremer who has been very good for the Orioles. I can’t imagine the Astros losing another game when things are starting to go haywire. Astros win 4-3
Betting trends
Astros are 22-7 as a road favorite between -125 and -175 this year.
Astros are 13-12 against AL East teams this season.
Orioles are 32-25 when they're an underdog between +125 and +175.
Orioles are 19-10 agianst AL West opponents this year.
Projected lineup
Astros:
Jeremy Pena (R) SS
Aledmys Diaz (R) 2B
Yordan Alvarez (L) LF
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Kyle Tucker (L) RF
Trey Mancini (R) 1B
Christian Vazquez (R) C
Yainer Diaz (R) DH
Mauricio Dubon (R) CF
Orioles:
Cedric Mullins (L) CF
Adley Rutschman (S) C
Gunnar Henderson (L) 3B
Anthony Santander (S) DH
Ryan Mountcastle (R) 1B
Terrin Vavra (L) LF
Kyle Stowers (L) RF
Rougned Odor (L) 2B
Jorge Mateo (R) SS
Statistical leaders
Astros:
Batting average: Yordan Alvarez -- .300
Home runs: Yordan Alvarez -- 37
RBI: Kyle Tucker -- 102
Wins: Justin Verlander -- 17
ERA: Justin Verlander -- 1.82
Orioles:
Batting average: Cedric Mullins -- .262
Home runs: Anthony Santander -- 27
RBI: Ryan Mountacastle -- 80
Wins: Jordan Lyles -- 11
ERA: Jordan Lyles -- 4.50
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